Returns and return information shall be confidential, and except as authorized by this title—

(1)no officer or employee of the United States,

(2)no officer or employee of any State, any local law enforcement agency receiving information under subsection (i)(7)(A), any local child support enforcement agency, or any local agency administering a program listed in subsection (l)(7)(D) who has or had access to returns or return information under this section or section
6104(c), and

(3)no other person (or officer or employee thereof) who has or had access to returns or return information under subsection (e)(1)(D)(iii),subsection (k)(10), paragraph (6), (10), (12), (16), (19), (20), or (21) of subsection (l), paragraph (2) or (4)(B) of subsection (m), orsubsection (n),

shall disclose any return or return information obtained by him in any manner in connection with his service as such an officer or an employee or otherwise or under the provisions of this section. For purposes of this subsection, the term “officer or employee” includes a former officer or employee.

(b) Definitions

For purposes of this section—

(1) Return

The term “return” means any tax or information return, declaration of estimated tax, or claim for refund required by, or provided for or permitted under, the provisions of this title which is filed with the Secretary by, on behalf of, or with respect to any person, and any amendment or supplement thereto, including supporting schedules, attachments, or lists which are supplemental to, or part of, the return so filed.

(2) Return information

The term “return information” means—

(A)a taxpayer’s identity, the nature, source, or amount of his income, payments, receipts, deductions, exemptions, credits, assets, liabilities, net worth, tax liability, tax withheld, deficiencies, overassessments, or tax payments, whether the taxpayer’s return was, is being, or will be examined or subject to other investigation or processing, or any other data, received by, recorded by, prepared by, furnished to, or collected by the Secretary with respect to a return or with respect to the determination of the existence, or possible existence, of liability (or the amount thereof) of any person under this title for any tax, penalty, interest, fine, forfeiture, or other imposition, or offense,

(B)any part of any written determination or any background file document relating to such written determination (as such terms are defined in section
6110(b)) which is not open to public inspection under section
6110,

(C)any advance pricing agreement entered into by a taxpayer and the Secretary and any background information related to such agreement or any application for an advance pricing agreement, and

(D)any agreement under section
7121, and any similar agreement, and any background information related to such an agreement or request for such an agreement,

but such term does not include data in a form which cannot be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer. Nothing in the preceding sentence, or in any other provision of law, shall be construed to require the disclosure of standards used or to be used for the selection of returns for examination, or data used or to be used for determining such standards, if the Secretary determines that such disclosure will seriously impair assessment, collection, or enforcement under the internal revenue laws.

(3) Taxpayer return information

The term “taxpayer return information” means return information as defined in paragraph (2) which is filed with, or furnished to, the Secretary by or on behalf of the taxpayer to whom such return information relates.

(4) Tax administration

The term “tax administration”—

(A)means—

(i)the administration, management, conduct, direction, and supervision of the execution and application of the internal revenue laws or related statutes (or equivalent laws and statutes of a State) and tax conventions to which the United States is a party, and

(ii)the development and formulation of Federal tax policy relating to existing or proposed internal revenue laws, related statutes, and tax conventions, and

(I)which is formed and operated by a qualified group of municipalities, and

(II)with which the Secretary (in his sole discretion) has entered into an agreement regarding disclosure.

(B) Regional income tax agencies

For purposes of subparagraph (A)(iii)—

(i)Qualified group of municipalities
The term “qualified group of municipalities” means, with respect to any governmental entity, 2 or more municipalities—

(I)each of which imposes a tax on income or wages,

(II)each of which, under the authority of a State statute, administers the laws relating to the imposition of such taxes through such entity, and

(III)which collectively have a population in excess of 250,000 (as determined under the most recent decennial United States census data available).

(ii)References to State law, etc.
For purposes of applying subparagraph (A)(iii) to the subsections referred to in such subparagraph, any reference in such subsections to State law, proceedings, or tax returns shall be treated as references to the law, proceedings, or tax returns, as the case may be, of the municipalities which form and operate the governmental entity referred to in such subparagraph.

(iii)Disclosure to contractors and other agents
Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no return or return information shall be disclosed to any contractor or other agent of a governmental entity referred to in subparagraph (A)(iii) unless such entity, to the satisfaction of the Secretary—

(I)has requirements in effect which require each such contractor or other agent which would have access to returns or return information to provide safeguards (within the meaning of subsection (p)(4)) to protect the confidentiality of such returns or return information,

(II)agrees to conduct an on-site review every 3 years (or a mid-point review in the case of contracts or agreements of less than 3 years in duration) of each contractor or other agent to determine compliance with such requirements,

(III)submits the findings of the most recent review conducted under subclause (II) to the Secretary as part of the report required by subsection (p)(4)(E), and

(IV)certifies to the Secretary for the most recent annual period that such contractor or other agent is in compliance with all such requirements.

The certification required by subclause (IV) shall include the name and address of each contractor and other agent, a description of the contract or agreement with such contractor or other agent, and the duration of such contract or agreement. The requirements of this clause shall not apply to disclosures pursuant to subsection (n) for purposes of Federal tax administration and a rule similar to the rule of subsection (p)(8)(B) shall apply for purposes of this clause.

(6) Taxpayer identity

The term “taxpayer identity” means the name of a person with respect to whom a return is filed, his mailing address, his taxpayer identifying number (as described in section
6109), or a combination thereof.

(7) Inspection

The terms “inspected” and “inspection” mean any examination of a return or return information.

(8) Disclosure

The term “disclosure” means the making known to any person in any manner whatever a return or return information.

(9) Federal agency

The term “Federal agency” means an agency within the meaning of section
551(1) of title
5, United States Code.

(10) Chief executive officer

The term “chief executive officer” means, with respect to any municipality, any elected official and the chief official (even if not elected) of such municipality.

(11) Terrorist incident, threat, or activity

The term “terrorist incident, threat, or activity” means an incident, threat, or activity involving an act of domestic terrorism (as defined in section
2331(5) of title
18, United States Code) or international terrorism (as defined in section 2331(1) of such title).

(c) Disclosure of returns and return information to designee of taxpayer

The Secretary may, subject to such requirements and conditions as he may prescribe by regulations, disclose the return of any taxpayer, or return information with respect to such taxpayer, to such person or persons as the taxpayer may designate in a request for or consent to such disclosure, or to any other person at the taxpayer’s request to the extent necessary to comply with a request for information or assistance made by the taxpayer to such other person. However, return information shall not be disclosed to such person or persons if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would seriously impair Federal tax administration.

(d) Disclosure to State tax officials and State and local law enforcement agencies

(1) In general

Returns and return information with respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1, 2, 6, 11, 12, 21, 23, 24, 31, 32, 44, 51, and 52 and subchapter D of chapter 36 shall be open to inspection by, or disclosure to, any State agency, body, or commission, or its legal representative, which is charged under the laws of such State with responsibility for the administration of State tax laws for the purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in, the administration of such laws, including any procedures with respect to locating any person who may be entitled to a refund. Such inspection shall be permitted, or such disclosure made, only upon written request by the head of such agency, body, or commission, and only to the representatives of such agency, body, or commission designated in such written request as the individuals who are to inspect or to receive the returns or return information on behalf of such agency, body, or commission. Such representatives shall not include any individual who is the chief executive officer of such State or who is neither an employee or legal representative of such agency, body, or commission nor a person described in subsection (n). However, such return information shall not be disclosed to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosure would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair any civil or criminal tax investigation.

(2) Disclosure to State audit agencies

(A) In general

Any returns or return information obtained under paragraph (1) by any State agency, body, or commission may be open to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of the State audit agency for the purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in, making an audit of the State agency, body, or commission referred to in paragraph (1).

(B) State audit agency

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term “State audit agency” means any State agency, body, or commission which is charged under the laws of the State with the responsibility of auditing State revenues and programs.

(3) Exception for reimbursement under section
7624

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the Secretary from disclosing to any State or local law enforcement agency which may receive a payment under section
7624 the amount of the recovered taxes with respect to which such a payment may be made.

(4) Availability and use of death information

(A) In general

No returns or return information may be disclosed under paragraph (1) to any agency, body, or commission of any State (or any legal representative thereof) during any period during which a contract meeting the requirements of subparagraph (B) is not in effect between such State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(B) Contractual requirements

A contract meets the requirements of this subparagraph if—

(i)such contract requires the State to furnish the Secretary of Health and Human Services information concerning individuals with respect to whom death certificates (or equivalent documents maintained by the State or any subdivision thereof) have been officially filed with it, and

(ii)such contract does not include any restriction on the use of information obtained by such Secretary pursuant to such contract, except that such contract may provide that such information is only to be used by the Secretary (or any other Federal agency) for purposes of ensuring that Federal benefits or other payments are not erroneously paid to deceased individuals.

Any information obtained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under such a contract shall be exempt from disclosure under section
552 of title
5, United States Code, and from the requirements of section 552a of such title 5.

(C) Special exception

The provisions of subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any State which on July 1, 1993, was not, pursuant to a contract, furnishing the Secretary of Health and Human Services information concerning individuals with respect to whom death certificates (or equivalent documents maintained by the State or any subdivision thereof) have been officially filed with it.

(5) Disclosure for combined employment tax reporting

(A) In general

The Secretary may disclose taxpayer identity information and signatures to any agency, body, or commission of any State for the purpose of carrying out with such agency, body, or commission a combined Federal and State employment tax reporting program approved by the Secretary. Subsections (a)(2) and (p)(4) andsections
7213 and
7213A shall not apply with respect to disclosures or inspections made pursuant to this paragraph.

(B) Termination

The Secretary may not make any disclosure under this paragraph after December 31, 2007.

(6) Limitation on disclosure regarding regional income tax agencies treated as States

For purposes of paragraph (1), inspection by or disclosure to an entity described in subsection (b)(5)(A)(iii) shall be for the purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in, the administration of the laws of the member municipalities in such entity relating to the imposition of a tax on income or wages. Such entity may not redisclose any return or return information received pursuant to paragraph (1) to any such member municipality.

(e) Disclosure to persons having material interest

(1) In general

The return of a person shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to—

(A)in the case of the return of an individual—

(i)that individual,

(ii)the spouse of that individual if the individual and such spouse have signified their consent to consider a gift reported on such return as made one-half by him and one-half by the spouse pursuant to the provisions of section
2513; or

(iii)the child of that individual (or such child’s legal representative) to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of section
1(g);

(B)in the case of an income tax return filed jointly, either of the individuals with respect to whom the return is filed;

(C)in the case of the return of a partnership, any person who was a member of such partnership during any part of the period covered by the return;

(D)in the case of the return of a corporation or a subsidiary thereof—

(i)any person designated by resolution of its board of directors or other similar governing body,

(ii)any officer or employee of such corporation upon written request signed by any principal officer and attested to by the secretary or other officer,

(iii)any bona fide shareholder of record owning 1 percent or more of the outstanding stock of such corporation,

(iv)if the corporation was an S corporation, any person who was a shareholder during any part of the period covered by such return during which an election under section
1362(a) was in effect, or

(v)if the corporation has been dissolved, any person authorized by applicable State law to act for the corporation or any person who the Secretary finds to have a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein;

(E)in the case of the return of an estate—

(i)the administrator, executor, or trustee of such estate, and

(ii)any heir at law, next of kin, or beneficiary under the will, of the decedent, but only if the Secretary finds that such heir at law, next of kin, or beneficiary has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein; and

(F)in the case of the return of a trust—

(i)the trustee or trustees, jointly or separately, and

(ii)any beneficiary of such trust, but only if the Secretary finds that such beneficiary has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein.

(2) Incompetency

If an individual described in paragraph (1) is legally incompetent, the applicable return shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to the committee, trustee, or guardian of his estate.

(3) Deceased individuals

The return of a decedent shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to—

(A)the administrator, executor, or trustee of his estate, and

(B)any heir at law, next of kin, or beneficiary under the will, of such decedent, or a donee of property, but only if the Secretary finds that such heir at law, next of kin, beneficiary, or donee has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein.

(4) Title 11 cases and receivership proceedings

If—

(A)there is a trustee in a title 11 case in which the debtor is the person with respect to whom the return is filed, or

(B)substantially all of the property of the person with respect to whom the return is filed is in the hands of a receiver,

such return or returns for prior years of such person shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to such trustee or receiver, but only if the Secretary finds that such trustee or receiver, in his fiduciary capacity, has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein.

(5) Individual’s title 11 case

(A) In general

In any case to which section
1398 applies (determined without regard to section
1398(b)(1)), any return of the debtor for the taxable year in which the case commenced or any preceding taxable year shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to the trustee in such case.

(B) Return of estate available to debtor

Any return of an estate in a case to which section
1398 applies shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to the debtor in such case.

(C) Special rule for involuntary cases

In an involuntary case, no disclosure shall be made under subparagraph (A) until the order for relief has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of such case unless such court finds that such disclosure is appropriate for purposes of determining whether an order for relief should be entered.

(6) Attorney in fact

Any return to which this subsection applies shall, upon written request, also be open to inspection by or disclosure to the attorney in fact duly authorized in writing by any of the persons described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), or (9) to inspect the return or receive the information on his behalf, subject to the conditions provided in such paragraphs.

(7) Return information

Return information with respect to any taxpayer may be open to inspection by or disclosure to any person authorized by this subsection to inspect any return of such taxpayer if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would not seriously impair Federal tax administration.

(8) Disclosure of collection activities with respect to joint return

If any deficiency of tax with respect to a joint return is assessed and the individuals filing such return are no longer married or no longer reside in the same household, upon request in writing by either of such individuals, the Secretary shall disclose in writing to the individual making the request whether the Secretary has attempted to collect such deficiency from such other individual, the general nature of such collection activities, and the amount collected. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any deficiency which may not be collected by reason of section
6502.

(9) Disclosure of certain information where more than 1 person subject to penalty under section
6672

If the Secretary determines that a person is liable for a penalty under section
6672(a) with respect to any failure, upon request in writing of such person, the Secretary shall disclose in writing to such person—

(A)the name of any other person whom the Secretary has determined to be liable for such penalty with respect to such failure, and

(B)whether the Secretary has attempted to collect such penalty from such other person, the general nature of such collection activities, and the amount collected.

(10) Limitation on certain disclosures under this subsection

In the case of an inspection or disclosure under this subsection relating to the return of a partnership, S corporation, trust, or an estate, the information inspected or disclosed shall not include any supporting schedule, attachment, or list which includes the taxpayer identity information of a person other than the entity making the return or the person conducting the inspection or to whom the disclosure is made.

(f) Disclosure to Committees of Congress

(1) Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Finance, and Joint Committee on Taxation

Upon written request from the chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the chairman of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, or the chairman of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish such committee with any return or return information specified in such request, except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.

(2) Chief of Staff of Joint Committee on Taxation

Upon written request by the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Secretary shall furnish him with any return or return information specified in such request. Such Chief of Staff may submit such return or return information to any committee described in paragraph (1), except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.

(3) Other committees

Pursuant to an action by, and upon written request by the chairman of, a committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives (other than a committee specified in paragraph (1)) specially authorized to inspect any return or return information by a resolution of the Senate or the House of Representatives or, in the case of a joint committee (other than the joint committee specified in paragraph (1)) by concurrent resolution, the Secretary shall furnish such committee, or a duly authorized and designated subcommittee thereof, sitting in closed executive session, with any return or return information which such resolution authorizes the committee or subcommittee to inspect. Any resolution described in this paragraph shall specify the purpose for which the return or return information is to be furnished and that such information cannot reasonably be obtained from any other source.

(4) Agents of committees and submission of information to Senate or House of Representatives

(A) Committees described in paragraph (1)

Any committee described in paragraph (1) or the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation shall have the authority, acting directly, or by or through such examiners or agents as the chairman of such committee or such chief of staff may designate or appoint, to inspect returns and return information at such time and in such manner as may be determined by such chairman or chief of staff. Any return or return information obtained by or on behalf of such committee pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may be submitted by the committee to the Senate or the House of Representatives, or to both. The Joint Committee on Taxation may also submit such return or return information to any other committee described in paragraph (1), except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer shall be furnished to such committee only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.

(B) Other committees

Any committee or subcommittee described in paragraph (3) shall have the right, acting directly, or by or through no more than four examiners or agents, designated or appointed in writing in equal numbers by the chairman and ranking minority member of such committee or subcommittee, to inspect returns and return information at such time and in such manner as may be determined by such chairman and ranking minority member. Any return or return information obtained by or on behalf of such committee or subcommittee pursuant to the provisions of this subsection may be submitted by the committee to the Senate or the House of Representatives, or to both, except that any return or return information which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer, shall be furnished to the Senate or the House of Representatives only when sitting in closed executive session unless such taxpayer otherwise consents in writing to such disclosure.

(5) Disclosure by whistleblower

Any person who otherwise has or had access to any return or return information under this section may disclose such return or return information to a committee referred to in paragraph (1) or any individual authorized to receive or inspect information under paragraph (4)(A) if such person believes such return or return information may relate to possible misconduct, maladministration, or taxpayer abuse.

(g) Disclosure to President and certain other persons

(1) In general

Upon written request by the President, signed by him personally, the Secretary shall furnish to the President, or to such employee or employees of the White House Office as the President may designate by name in such request, a return or return information with respect to any taxpayer named in such request. Any such request shall state—

(A)the name and address of the taxpayer whose return or return information is to be disclosed,

(B)the kind of return or return information which is to be disclosed,

(C)the taxable period or periods covered by such return or return information, and

(D)the specific reason why the inspection or disclosure is requested.

(2) Disclosure of return information as to Presidential appointees and certain other Federal Government appointees

The Secretary may disclose to a duly authorized representative of the Executive Office of the President or to the head of any Federal agency, upon written request by the President or head of such agency, or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation on behalf of and upon written request by the President or such head, return information with respect to an individual who is designated as being under consideration for appointment to a position in the executive or judicial branch of the Federal Government. Such return information shall be limited to whether such individual—

(A)has filed returns with respect to the taxes imposed under chapter 1 for not more than the immediately preceding 3 years;

(B)has failed to pay any tax within 10 days after notice and demand, or has been assessed any penalty under this title for negligence, in the current year or immediately preceding 3 years;

(C)has been or is under investigation for possible criminal offenses under the internal revenue laws and the results of any such investigation; or

(D)has been assessed any civil penalty under this title for fraud.

Within 3 days of the receipt of any request for any return information with respect to any individual under this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify such individual in writing that such information has been requested under the provisions of this paragraph.

(3) Restriction on disclosure

The employees to whom returns and return information are disclosed under this subsection shall not disclose such returns and return information to any other person except the President or the head of such agency without the personal written direction of the President or the head of such agency.

(4) Restriction on disclosure to certain employees

Disclosure of returns and return information under this subsection shall not be made to any employee whose annual rate of basic pay is less than the annual rate of basic pay specified for positions subject to section
5316 of title
5, United States Code.

(5) Reporting requirements

Within 30 days after the close of each calendar quarter, the President and the head of any agency requesting returns and return information under this subsection shall each file a report with the Joint Committee on Taxation setting forth the taxpayers with respect to whom such requests were made during such quarter under this subsection, the returns or return information involved, and the reasons for such requests. The President shall not be required to report on any request for returns and return information pertaining to an individual who was an officer or employee of the executive branch of the Federal Government at the time such request was made. Reports filed pursuant to this paragraph shall not be disclosed unless the Joint Committee on Taxation determines that disclosure thereof (including identifying details) would be in the national interest. Such reports shall be maintained by the Joint Committee on Taxation for a period not exceeding 2 years unless, within such period, the Joint Committee on Taxation determines that a disclosure to the Congress is necessary.

Returns and return information shall, without written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury whose official duties require such inspection or disclosure for tax administration purposes.

(2) Department of Justice

In a matter involving tax administration, a return or return information shall be open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees of the Department of Justice (including United States attorneys) personally and directly engaged in, and solely for their use in, any proceeding before a Federal grand jury or preparation for any proceeding (or investigation which may result in such a proceeding) before a Federal grand jury or any Federal or State court, but only if—

(A)the taxpayer is or may be a party to the proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or in connection with, determining the taxpayer’s civil or criminal liability, or the collection of such civil liability in respect of any tax imposed under this title;

(B)the treatment of an item reflected on such return is or may be related to the resolution of an issue in the proceeding or investigation; or

(C)such return or return information relates or may relate to a transactional relationship between a person who is or may be a party to the proceeding and the taxpayer which affects, or may affect, the resolution of an issue in such proceeding or investigation.

(3) Form of request

In any case in which the Secretary is authorized to disclose a return or return information to the Department of Justice pursuant to the provisions of this subsection—

(A)if the Secretary has referred the case to the Department of Justice, or if the proceeding is authorized by subchapter B of chapter 76, the Secretary may make such disclosure on his own motion, or

(B)if the Secretary receives a written request from the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, or an Assistant Attorney General for a return of, or return information relating to, a person named in such request and setting forth the need for the disclosure, the Secretary shall disclose return or return the information so requested.

(4) Disclosure in judicial and administrative tax proceedings

A return or return information may be disclosed in a Federal or State judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to tax administration, but only—

(A)if the taxpayer is a party to the proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or in connection with, determining the taxpayer’s civil or criminal liability, or the collection of such civil liability, in respect of any tax imposed under this title;

(B)if the treatment of an item reflected on such return is directly related to the resolution of an issue in the proceeding;

(C)if such return or return information directly relates to a transactional relationship between a person who is a party to the proceeding and the taxpayer which directly affects the resolution of an issue in the proceeding; or

(D)to the extent required by order of a court pursuant to section
3500 of title
18, United States Code, or rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, such court being authorized in the issuance of such order to give due consideration to congressional policy favoring the confidentiality of returns and return information as set forth in this title.

However, such return or return information shall not be disclosed as provided in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) if the Secretary determines that such disclosure would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation.

(5) Withholding of tax from social security benefits

Upon written request of the payor agency, the Secretary may disclose available return information from the master files of the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the address and status of an individual as a nonresident alien or as a citizen or resident of the United States to the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board (whichever is appropriate) for purposes of carrying out its responsibilities for withholding tax under section
1441 from social security benefits (as defined in section
86(d)).

(6) Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board

(A) In general

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), and except as provided in subparagraph (B), no return or return information may be disclosed to any member of the Oversight Board described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of section
7802(b)(1) or to any employee or detailee of such Board by reason of their service with the Board. Any request for information not permitted to be disclosed under the preceding sentence, and any contact relating to a specific taxpayer, made by any such individual to an officer or employee of the Internal Revenue Service shall be reported by such officer or employee to the Secretary, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and the Joint Committee on Taxation.

(B) Exception for reports to the Board

If—

(i)the Commissioner or the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration prepares any report or other matter for the Oversight Board in order to assist the Board in carrying out its duties; and

(ii)the Commissioner or such Inspector General determines it is necessary to include any return or return information in such report or other matter to enable the Board to carry out such duties,

such return or return information (other than information regarding taxpayer identity) may be disclosed to members, employees, or detailees of the Board solely for the purpose of carrying out such duties.

(i) Disclosure to Federal officers or employees for administration of Federal laws not relating to tax administration

(1) Disclosure of returns and return information for use in criminal investigations

(A) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (6), any return or return information with respect to any specified taxable period or periods shall, pursuant to and upon the grant of an ex parte order by a Federal district court judge or magistrate judge under subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the extent necessary as provided in such order) to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of any Federal agency who are personally and directly engaged in—

(i)preparation for any judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to the enforcement of a specifically designated Federal criminal statute (not involving tax administration) to which the United States or such agency is or may be a party,

(ii)any investigation which may result in such a proceeding, or

(iii)any Federal grand jury proceeding pertaining to enforcement of such a criminal statute to which the United States or such agency is or may be a party,

solely for the use of such officers and employees in such preparation, investigation, or grand jury proceeding.

(B) Application for order

The Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, any Assistant Attorney General, any United States attorney, any special prosecutor appointed under section
593 of title
28, United States Code, or any attorney in charge of a criminal division organized crime strike force established pursuant to section
510 of title
28, United States Code, may authorize an application to a Federal district court judge or magistrate judge for the order referred to in subparagraph (A). Upon such application, such judge or magistrate judge may grant such order if he determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that—

(i)there is reasonable cause to believe, based upon information believed to be reliable, that a specific criminal act has been committed,

(ii)there is reasonable cause to believe that the return or return information is or may be relevant to a matter relating to the commission of such act, and

(iii)the return or return information is sought exclusively for use in a Federal criminal investigation or proceeding concerning such act, and the information sought to be disclosed cannot reasonably be obtained, under the circumstances, from another source.

(2) Disclosure of return information other than taxpayer return information for use in criminal investigations

(A) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the Secretary of a request which meets the requirements of subparagraph (B) from the head of any Federal agency or the Inspector General thereof, or, in the case of the Department of Justice, the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, any Assistant Attorney General, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, any United States attorney, any special prosecutor appointed under section
593 of title
28, United States Code, or any attorney in charge of a criminal division organized crime strike force established pursuant to section
510 of title
28, United States Code, the Secretary shall disclose return information (other than taxpayer return information) to officers and employees of such agency who are personally and directly engaged in—

(i)preparation for any judicial or administrative proceeding described in paragraph (1)(A)(i),

(ii)any investigation which may result in such a proceeding, or

(iii)any grand jury proceeding described in paragraph (1)(A)(iii),

solely for the use of such officers and employees in such preparation, investigation, or grand jury proceeding.

(B) Requirements

A request meets the requirements of this subparagraph if the request is in writing and sets forth—

(i)the name and address of the taxpayer with respect to whom the requested return information relates;

(ii)the taxable period or periods to which such return information relates;

(iii)the statutory authority under which the proceeding or investigation described in subparagraph (A) is being conducted; and

(iv)the specific reason or reasons why such disclosure is, or may be, relevant to such proceeding or investigation.

(C) Taxpayer identity

For purposes of this paragraph, a taxpayer’s identity shall not be treated as taxpayer return information.

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Secretary may disclose in writing return information (other than taxpayer return information) which may constitute evidence of a violation of any Federal criminal law (not involving tax administration) to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal agency charged with the responsibility of enforcing such law. The head of such agency may disclose such return information to officers and employees of such agency to the extent necessary to enforce such law.

(ii)Taxpayer identity
If there is return information (other than taxpayer return information) which may constitute evidence of a violation by any taxpayer of any Federal criminal law (not involving tax administration), such taxpayer’s identity may also be disclosed under clause (i).

(B) Emergency circumstances

(i)Danger of death or physical injury
Under circumstances involving an imminent danger of death or physical injury to any individual, the Secretary may disclose return information to the extent necessary to apprise appropriate officers or employees of any Federal or State law enforcement agency of such circumstances.

(ii)Flight from Federal prosecution
Under circumstances involving the imminent flight of any individual from Federal prosecution, the Secretary may disclose return information to the extent necessary to apprise appropriate officers or employees of any Federal law enforcement agency of such circumstances.

(C) Terrorist activities, etc.

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Secretary may disclose in writing return information (other than taxpayer return information) that may be related to a terrorist incident, threat, or activity to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating or responding to such terrorist incident, threat, or activity. The head of the agency may disclose such return information to officers and employees of such agency to the extent necessary to investigate or respond to such terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(ii)Disclosure to the Department of Justice
Returns and taxpayer return information may also be disclosed to the Attorney General under clause (i) to the extent necessary for, and solely for use in preparing, an application under paragraph (7)(D).

(iii)Taxpayer identity
For purposes of this subparagraph, a taxpayer’s identity shall not be treated as taxpayer return information.

(4) Use of certain disclosed returns and return information in judicial or administrative proceedings

(A) Returns and taxpayer return information

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any return or taxpayer return information obtained under paragraph (1) or (7)(C) may be disclosed in any judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to enforcement of a specifically designated Federal criminal statute or related civil forfeiture (not involving tax administration) to which the United States or a Federal agency is a party—

(i)if the court finds that such return or taxpayer return information is probative of a matter in issue relevant in establishing the commission of a crime or the guilt or liability of a party, or

(ii)to the extent required by order of the court pursuant to section
3500 of title
18, United States Code, or rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(B) Return information (other than taxpayer return information)

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), any return information (other than taxpayer return information) obtained under paragraph (1), (2), (3)(A) or (C), or (7) may be disclosed in any judicial or administrative proceeding pertaining to enforcement of a specifically designated Federal criminal statute or related civil forfeiture (not involving tax administration) to which the United States or a Federal agency is a party.

(C) Confidential informant; impairment of investigations

No return or return information shall be admitted into evidence under subparagraph (A)(i) or (B) if the Secretary determines and notifies the Attorney General or his delegate or the head of the Federal agency that such admission would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation.

(D) Consideration of confidentiality policy

In ruling upon the admissibility of returns or return information, and in the issuance of an order under subparagraph (A)(ii), the court shall give due consideration to congressional policy favoring the confidentiality of returns and return information as set forth in this title.

(E) Reversible error

The admission into evidence of any return or return information contrary to the provisions of this paragraph shall not, as such, constitute reversible error upon appeal of a judgment in the proceeding.

(5) Disclosure to locate fugitives from justice

(A) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (6), the return of an individual or return information with respect to such individual shall, pursuant to and upon the grant of an ex parte order by a Federal district court judge or magistrate judge under subparagraph (B), be open (but only to the extent necessary as provided in such order) to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of any Federal agency exclusively for use in locating such individual.

(B) Application for order

Any person described in paragraph (1)(B) may authorize an application to a Federal district court judge or magistrate judge for an order referred to in subparagraph (A). Upon such application, such judge or magistrate judge may grant such order if he determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that—

(i)a Federal arrest warrant relating to the commission of a Federal felony offense has been issued for an individual who is a fugitive from justice,

(ii)the return of such individual or return information with respect to such individual is sought exclusively for use in locating such individual, and

(iii)there is reasonable cause to believe that such return or return information may be relevant in determining the location of such individual.

(6) Confidential informants; impairment of investigations

The Secretary shall not disclose any return or return information under paragraph (1), (2), (3)(A) or (C), (5), (7), or (8) if the Secretary determines (and, in the case of a request for disclosure pursuant to a court order described in paragraph (1)(B) or (5)(B), certifies to the court) that such disclosure would identify a confidential informant or seriously impair a civil or criminal tax investigation.

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the Secretary of a written request which meets the requirements of clause (iii), the Secretary may disclose return information (other than taxpayer return information) to officers and employees of any Federal law enforcement agency who are personally and directly engaged in the response to or investigation of any terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(ii)Disclosure to State and local law enforcement agencies
The head of any Federal law enforcement agency may disclose return information obtained under clause (i) to officers and employees of any State or local law enforcement agency but only if such agency is part of a team with the Federal law enforcement agency in such response or investigation and such information is disclosed only to officers and employees who are personally and directly engaged in such response or investigation.

(iii)Requirements
A request meets the requirements of this clause if—

(I)the request is made by the head of any Federal law enforcement agency (or his delegate) involved in the response to or investigation of any terrorist incident, threat, or activity, and

(II)the request sets forth the specific reason or reasons why such disclosure may be relevant to a terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(iv)Limitation on use of information
Information disclosed under this subparagraph shall be solely for the use of the officers and employees to whom such information is disclosed in such response or investigation.

(v)Taxpayer identity
For purposes of this subparagraph, a taxpayer’s identity shall not be treated as taxpayer return information.

(B) Disclosure to intelligence agencies

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), upon receipt by the Secretary of a written request which meets the requirements of clause (ii), the Secretary may disclose return information (other than taxpayer return information) to those officers and employees of the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, and other Federal intelligence agencies who are personally and directly engaged in the collection or analysis of intelligence and counterintelligence information or investigation concerning any terrorist incident, threat, or activity. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the information disclosed under the preceding sentence shall be solely for the use of such officers and employees in such investigation, collection, or analysis.

(ii)Requirements
A request meets the requirements of this subparagraph if the request—

(I)is made by an individual described in clause (iii), and

(II)sets forth the specific reason or reasons why such disclosure may be relevant to a terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(iii)Requesting individuals
An individual described in this subparagraph is an individual—

(I)who is an officer or employee of the Department of Justice or the Department of the Treasury who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate or who is the Director of the United States Secret Service, and

(II)who is responsible for the collection and analysis of intelligence and counterintelligence information concerning any terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(iv)Taxpayer identity
For purposes of this subparagraph, a taxpayer’s identity shall not be treated as taxpayer return information.

(C) Disclosure under ex parte orders

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), any return or return information with respect to any specified taxable period or periods shall, pursuant to and upon the grant of an ex parte order by a Federal district court judge or magistrate under clause (ii), be open (but only to the extent necessary as provided in such order) to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of any Federal law enforcement agency or Federal intelligence agency who are personally and directly engaged in any investigation, response to, or analysis of intelligence and counterintelligence information concerning any terrorist incident, threat, or activity. Return or return information opened to inspection or disclosure pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be solely for the use of such officers and employees in the investigation, response, or analysis, and in any judicial, administrative, or grand jury proceedings, pertaining to such terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(ii)Application for order
The Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, the Associate Attorney General, any Assistant Attorney General, or any United States attorney may authorize an application to a Federal district court judge or magistrate for the order referred to in clause (i). Upon such application, such judge or magistrate may grant such order if he determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that—

(I)there is reasonable cause to believe, based upon information believed to be reliable, that the return or return information may be relevant to a matter relating to such terrorist incident, threat, or activity, and

(II)the return or return information is sought exclusively for use in a Federal investigation, analysis, or proceeding concerning any terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(D) Special rule for ex parte disclosure by the IRS

(i)In general
Except as provided in paragraph (6), the Secretary may authorize an application to a Federal district court judge or magistrate for the order referred to in subparagraph (C)(i). Upon such application, such judge or magistrate may grant such order if he determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that the requirements of subparagraph (C)(ii)(I) are met.

(ii)Limitation on use of information
Information disclosed under clause (i)—

(I)may be disclosed only to the extent necessary to apprise the head of the appropriate Federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating or responding to a terrorist incident, threat, or activity, and

(II)shall be solely for use in a Federal investigation, analysis, or proceeding concerning any terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

The head of such Federal agency may disclose such information to officers and employees of such agency to the extent necessary to investigate or respond to such terrorist incident, threat, or activity.

(8) Comptroller General

(A) Returns available for inspection

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), upon written request by the Comptroller General of the United States, returns and return information shall be open to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, making—

(i)an audit of the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice, or the Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury, which may be required by section
713 of title
31, United States Code, or

(ii)any audit authorized by subsection (p)(6),

except that no such officer or employee shall, except to the extent authorized by subsection (f) or (p)(6), disclose to any person, other than another officer or employee of such office whose official duties require such disclosure, any return or return information described in section
4424(a) in a form which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer, nor shall such officer or employee disclose any other return or return information, except as otherwise expressly provided by law, to any person other than such other officer or employee of such office in a form which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer.

(B) Audits of other agencies

(i)In general
Nothing in this section shall prohibit any return or return information obtained under this title by any Federal agency (other than an agency referred to in subparagraph (A)) or by a Trustee as defined in the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, for use in any program or activity from being open to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office if such inspection or disclosure is—

(I)for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, making an audit authorized by law of such program or activity, and

(II)pursuant to a written request by the Comptroller General of the United States to the head of such Federal agency.

(ii)Information from Secretary
If the Comptroller General of the United States determines that the returns or return information available under clause (i) are not sufficient for purposes of making an audit of any program or activity of a Federal agency (other than an agency referred to in subparagraph (A)), upon written request by the Comptroller General to the Secretary, returns and return information (of the type authorized by subsection (l) or (m) to be made available to the Federal agency for use in such program or activity) shall be open to inspection by, or disclosure to, officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, making such audit.

(iii)Requirement of notification upon completion of audit
Within 90 days after the completion of an audit with respect to which returns or return information were opened to inspection or disclosed under clause (i) or (ii), the Comptroller General of the United States shall notify in writing the Joint Committee on Taxation of such completion. Such notice shall include—

(I)a description of the use of the returns and return information by the Federal agency involved,

(II)such recommendations with respect to the use of returns and return information by such Federal agency as the Comptroller General deems appropriate, and

(III)a statement on the impact of any such recommendations on confidentiality of returns and return information and the administration of this title.

(iv)Certain restrictions made applicable
The restrictions contained in subparagraph (A) on the disclosure of any returns or return information open to inspection or disclosed under such subparagraph shall also apply to returns and return information open to inspection or disclosed under this subparagraph.

(C) Disapproval by Joint Committee on Taxation

Returns and return information shall not be open to inspection or disclosed under subparagraph (A) or (B) with respect to an audit—

(i)unless the Comptroller General of the United States notifies in writing the Joint Committee on Taxation of such audit, and

(ii)if the Joint Committee on Taxation disapproves such audit by a vote of at least two-thirds of its members within the 30-day period beginning on the day the Joint Committee on Taxation receives such notice.

(j) Statistical use

(1) Department of Commerce

Upon request in writing by the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary shall furnish—

(A)such returns, or return information reflected thereon, to officers and employees of the Bureau of the Census, and

(B)such return information reflected on returns of corporations to officers and employees of the Bureau of Economic Analysis,

as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, the structuring of censuses and national economic accounts and conducting related statistical activities authorized by law.

(2) Federal Trade Commission

Upon request in writing by the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, the Secretary shall furnish such return information reflected on any return of a corporation with respect to the tax imposed by chapter 1 to officers and employees of the Division of Financial Statistics of the Bureau of Economics of such commission as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, administration by such division of legally authorized economic surveys of corporations.

(3) Department of Treasury

Returns and return information shall be open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury whose official duties require such inspection or disclosure for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, preparing economic or financial forecasts, projections, analyses, and statistical studies and conducting related activities. Such inspection or disclosure shall be permitted only upon written request which sets forth the specific reason or reasons why such inspection or disclosure is necessary and which is signed by the head of the bureau or office of the Department of the Treasury requesting the inspection or disclosure.

(4) Anonymous form

No person who receives a return or return information under this subsection shall disclose such return or return information to any person other than the taxpayer to whom it relates except in a form which cannot be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer.

(5) Department of Agriculture

Upon request in writing by the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary shall furnish such returns, or return information reflected thereon, as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation to officers and employees of the Department of Agriculture whose official duties require access to such returns or information for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary in, structuring, preparing, and conducting the census of agriculture pursuant to the Census of Agriculture Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–113).

(6) Congressional Budget Office

Upon written request by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, the Secretary shall furnish to officers and employees of the Congressional Budget Office return information for the purpose of, but only to the extent necessary for, long-term models of the social security and medicare programs.

Return information shall be disclosed to members of the general public to the extent necessary to permit inspection of any accepted offer-in-compromise under section
7122 relating to the liability for a tax imposed by this title.

(2) Disclosure of amount of outstanding lien

If a notice of lien has been filed pursuant to section
6323(f), the amount of the outstanding obligation secured by such lien may be disclosed to any person who furnishes satisfactory written evidence that he has a right in the property subject to such lien or intends to obtain a right in such property.

(3) Disclosure of return information to correct misstatements of fact

The Secretary may, but only following approval by the Joint Committee on Taxation, disclose such return information or any other information with respect to any specific taxpayer to the extent necessary for tax administration purposes to correct a misstatement of fact published or disclosed with respect to such taxpayer’s return or any transaction of the taxpayer with the Internal Revenue Service.

(4) Disclosure of competent authority under income tax convention

A return or return information may be disclosed to a competent authority of a foreign government which has an income tax or gift and estate tax convention, or other convention or bilateral agreement relating to the exchange of tax information, with the United States but only to the extent provided in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, such convention or bilateral agreement.

(5) State agencies regulating tax return preparers

Taxpayer identity information with respect to any tax return preparer, and information as to whether or not any penalty has been assessed against such tax return preparer under section
6694,
6695, or
7216, may be furnished to any agency, body, or commission lawfully charged under any State or local law with the licensing, registration, or regulation of tax return preparers. Such information may be furnished only upon written request by the head of such agency, body, or commission designating the officers or employees to whom such information is to be furnished. Information may be furnished and used under this paragraph only for purposes of the licensing, registration, or regulation of tax return preparers.

(6) Disclosure by certain officers and employees for investigative purposes

An internal revenue officer or employee and an officer or employee of the Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration may, in connection with his official duties relating to any audit, collection activity, or civil or criminal tax investigation or any other offense under the internal revenue laws, disclose return information to the extent that such disclosure is necessary in obtaining information, which is not otherwise reasonably available, with respect to the correct determination of tax, liability for tax, or the amount to be collected or with respect to the enforcement of any other provision of this title. Such disclosures shall be made only in such situations and under such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe by regulation.

(7) Disclosure of excise tax registration information

To the extent the Secretary determines that disclosure is necessary to permit the effective administration of subtitle D, the Secretary may disclose—

(A)the name, address, and registration number of each person who is registered under any provision of subtitle D (and, in the case of a registered terminal operator, the address of each terminal operated by such operator), and

(B)the registration status of any person.

(8) Levies on certain government payments

(A) Disclosure of return information in levies on Financial Management Service

In serving a notice of levy, or release of such levy, with respect to any applicable government payment, the Secretary may disclose to officers and employees of the Financial Management Service—

(i)return information, including taxpayer identity information,

(ii)the amount of any unpaid liability under this title (including penalties and interest), and

(iii)the type of tax and tax period to which such unpaid liability relates.

(B) Restriction on use of disclosed information

Return information disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers and employees of the Financial Management Service only for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, transferring levied funds in satisfaction of the levy, maintaining appropriate agency records in regard to such levy or the release thereof, notifying the taxpayer and the agency certifying such payment that the levy has been honored, or in the defense of any litigation ensuing from the honor of such levy.

(C) Applicable government payment

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “applicable government payment” means—

(i)any Federal payment (other than a payment for which eligibility is based on the income or assets (or both) of a payee) certified to the Financial Management Service for disbursement, and

(ii)any other payment which is certified to the Financial Management Service for disbursement and which the Secretary designates by published notice.

(9) Disclosure of information to administer section
6311

The Secretary may disclose returns or return information to financial institutions and others to the extent the Secretary deems necessary for the administration of section
6311. Disclosures of information for purposes other than to accept payments by checks or money orders shall be made only to the extent authorized by written procedures promulgated by the Secretary.

Under such procedures as the Secretary may prescribe, the Secretary may disclose to officers and employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and of any State agency charged with the responsibility for administration of prisons any returns or return information with respect to individuals incarcerated in Federal or State prison systems whom the Secretary has determined may have filed or facilitated the filing of a false or fraudulent return to the extent that the Secretary determines that such disclosure is necessary to permit effective Federal tax administration.

(B) Disclosure to contractor-run prisons

Under such procedures as the Secretary may prescribe, the disclosures authorized by subparagraph (A) may be made to contractors responsible for the operation of a Federal or State prison on behalf of such Bureau or agency.

(C) Restrictions on use of disclosed information

Any return or return information received under this paragraph shall be used only for the purposes of and to the extent necessary in taking administrative action to prevent the filing of false and fraudulent returns, including administrative actions to address possible violations of administrative rules and regulations of the prison facility and in administrative and judicial proceedings arising from such administrative actions.

(D) Restrictions on redisclosure and disclosure to legal representatives

Notwithstanding subsection (h)—

(i)Restrictions on redisclosure
Except as provided in clause (ii), any officer, employee, or contractor of the Federal Bureau of Prisons or of any State agency charged with the responsibility for administration of prisons shall not disclose any information obtained under this paragraph to any person other than an officer or employee or contractor of such Bureau or agency personally and directly engaged in the administration of prison facilities on behalf of such Bureau or agency.

(ii)Disclosure to legal representatives
The returns and return information disclosed under this paragraph may be disclosed to the duly authorized legal representative of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, State agency, or contractor charged with the responsibility for administration of prisons, or of the incarcerated individual accused of filing the false or fraudulent return who is a party to an action or proceeding described in subparagraph (C), solely in preparation for, or for use in, such action or proceeding.

(l) Disclosure of returns and return information for purposes other than tax administration

(1) Disclosure of certain returns and return information to Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement Board

The Secretary may, upon written request, disclose returns and return information with respect to—

(A)taxes imposed by chapters 2, 21, and 24, to the Social Security Administration for purposes of its administration of the Social Security Act;

(B)a plan to which part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 applies, to the Social Security Administration for purposes of carrying out its responsibility under section 1131 of the Social Security Act, limited, however to return information described in section
6057(d); and

(C)taxes imposed by chapter 22, to the Railroad Retirement Board for purposes of its administration of the Railroad Retirement Act.

(2) Disclosure of returns and return information to the Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

The Secretary may, upon written request, furnish returns and return information to the proper officers and employees of the Department of Labor and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation for purposes of, but only to the extent necessary in, the administration of titles I and IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Upon written request, the Secretary may disclose to the head of the Federal agency administering any included Federal loan program whether or not an applicant for a loan under such program has a tax delinquent account.

(B) Restriction on disclosure

Any disclosure under subparagraph (A) shall be made only for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, determining the creditworthiness of the applicant for the loan in question.

(C) Included Federal loan program defined

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “included Federal loan program” means any program under which the United States or a Federal agency makes, guarantees, or insures loans.

(4) Disclosure of returns and return information for use in personnel or claimant representative matters

The Secretary may disclose returns and return information—

(A)upon written request—

(i)to an employee or former employee of the Department of the Treasury, or to the duly authorized legal representative of such employee or former employee, who is or may be a party to any administrative action or proceeding affecting the personnel rights of such employee or former employee; or

(ii)to any person, or to the duly authorized legal representative of such person, whose rights are or may be affected by an administrative action or proceeding under section
330 of title
31, United States Code,

solely for use in the action or proceeding, or in preparation for the action or proceeding, but only to the extent that the Secretary determines that such returns or return information is or may be relevant and material to the action or proceeding; or

(B)to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury for use in any action or proceeding described in subparagraph (A), or in preparation for such action or proceeding, to the extent necessary to advance or protect the interests of the United States.

(5) Social Security Administration

Upon written request by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary may disclose information returns filed pursuant to part III of subchapter A of chapter 61 of this subtitle for the purpose of—

(A)carrying out, in accordance with an agreement entered into pursuant to section 232 of the Social Security Act, an effective return processing program; or

(B)providing information regarding the mortality status of individuals for epidemiological and similar research in accordance with section 1106(d) of the Social Security Act.

(6) Disclosure of return information to Federal, State, and local child support enforcement agencies

(A) Return information from Internal Revenue Service

The Secretary may, upon written request, disclose to the appropriate Federal, State, or local child support enforcement agency—

(i)available return information from the master files of the Internal Revenue Service relating to the social security account number (or numbers, if the individual involved has more than one such number), address, filing status, amounts and nature of income, and the number of dependents reported on any return filed by, or with respect to, any individual with respect to whom child support obligations are sought to be established or enforced pursuant to the provisions of part D of title IV of the Social Security Act and with respect to any individual to whom such support obligations are owing, and

(ii)available return information reflected on any return filed by, or with respect to, any individual described in clause (i) relating to the amount of such individual’s gross income (as defined in section
61) or consisting of the names and addresses of payors of such income and the names of any dependents reported on such return, but only if such return information is not reasonably available from any other source.

(B) Disclosure to certain agents

The following information disclosed to any child support enforcement agency under subparagraph (A) with respect to any individual with respect to whom child support obligations are sought to be established or enforced may be disclosed by such agency to any agent of such agency which is under contract with such agency to carry out the purposes described in subparagraph (C):

(i)The address and social security account number (or numbers) of such individual.

(ii)The amount of any reduction under section
6402(c) (relating to offset of past-due support against overpayments) in any overpayment otherwise payable to such individual.

(C) Restriction on disclosure

Information may be disclosed under this paragraph only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing and collecting child support obligations from, and locating, individuals owing such obligations.

(7) Disclosure of return information to Federal, State, and local agencies administering certain programs under the Social Security Act, the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 of 1977,1 or title 38, United States Code, or certain housing assistance programs

(A) Return information from Social Security Administration

The Commissioner of Social Security shall, upon written request, disclose return information from returns with respect to net earnings from self-employment (as defined in section
1402), wages (as defined in section
3121(a) or
3401(a)), and payments of retirement income, which have been disclosed to the Social Security Administration as provided by paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection, to any Federal, State, or local agency administering a program listed in subparagraph (D).

(B) Return information from Internal Revenue Service

The Secretary shall, upon written request, disclose current return information from returns with respect to unearned income from the Internal Revenue Service files to any Federal, State, or local agency administering a program listed in subparagraph (D).

(C) Restriction on disclosure

The Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary shall disclose return information under subparagraphs (A) and (B) only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, determining eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under a program listed in subparagraph (D).

(D) Programs to which rule applies

The programs to which this paragraph applies are:

(i)a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act;

(ii)medical assistance provided under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act or subsidies provided under section 1860D–14 of such Act;

(iii)supplemental security income benefits provided under title XVI of the Social Security Act, and federally administered supplementary payments of the type described in section 1616(a) of such Act (including payments pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 212(a) ofPublic Law 93–66);

(iv)any benefits provided under a State plan approved under title I, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act (as those titles apply to Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands);

(v)unemployment compensation provided under a State law described in section
3304 of this title;

(vi)assistance provided under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;

(vii)State-administered supplementary payments of the type described in section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act (including payments pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 212(a) ofPublic Law 93–66);

(viii)

(I)any needs-based pension provided under chapter
15 of title
38, United States Code, or under any other law administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs;

(II)parents’ dependency and indemnity compensation provided under section
1315 of title
38, United States Code;

(III)health-care services furnished under sections 1710(a)(2)(G), 1710(a)(3), and 1710(b) of such title; and

(IV)compensation paid under chapter
11 of title
38, United States Code, at the 100 percent rate based solely on unemployability and without regard to the fact that the disability or disabilities are not rated as 100 percent disabling under the rating schedule; and

(ix)any housing assistance program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development that involves initial and periodic review of an applicant’s or participant’s income, except that return information may be disclosed under this clause only on written request by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and only for use by officers and employees of the Department of Housing and Urban Development with respect to applicants for and participants in such programs.

Only return information from returns with respect to net earnings from self-employment and wages may be disclosed under this paragraph for use with respect to any program described in clause (viii)(IV).

(8) Disclosure of certain return information by Social Security Administration to Federal, State, and local child support enforcement agencies

(A) In general

Upon written request, the Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose directly to officers and employees of a Federal or State or local child support enforcement agency return information from returns with respect to social security account numbers, net earnings from self-employment (as defined in section
1402), wages (as defined in section
3121(a) or
3401(a)), and payments of retirement income which have been disclosed to the Social Security Administration as provided by paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection.

(B) Restriction on disclosure

The Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose return information under subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing and collecting child support obligations from, and locating, individuals owing such obligations. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “child support obligations” only includes obligations which are being enforced pursuant to a plan described in section 454 of the Social Security Act which has been approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under part D of title IV of such Act.

(C) State or local child support enforcement agency

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “State or local child support enforcement agency” means any agency of a State or political subdivision thereof operating pursuant to a plan described in subparagraph (B).

(9) Disclosure of alcohol fuel producers to administrators of State alcohol laws

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary may disclose—

(A)the name and address of any person who is qualified to produce alcohol for fuel use under section
5181, and

(B)the location of any premises to be used by such person in producing alcohol for fuel,

to any State agency, body, or commission, or its legal representative, which is charged under the laws of such State with responsibility for administration of State alcohol laws solely for use in the administration of such laws.

The Secretary may, upon receiving a written request, disclose to officers and employees of any agency seeking a reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) ofsection
6402, to officers and employees of the Department of Labor for purposes of facilitating the exchange of data in connection with a request made under subsection (f)(5) [2] ofsection
6402, and to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury in connection with such reduction—

(i)taxpayer identity information with respect to the taxpayer against whom such a reduction was made or not made and with respect to any other person filing a joint return with such taxpayer,

(ii)the fact that a reduction has been made or has not been made under such subsection with respect to such taxpayer,

(iii)the amount of such reduction,

(iv)whether such taxpayer filed a joint return, and

(v)the fact that a payment was made (and the amount of the payment) to the spouse of the taxpayer on the basis of a joint return.

(B) (i) 3 Restriction on use of disclosed information

(i) (i) 3 Restriction on use of disclosed information

Any officers and employees of an agency receiving return information under subparagraph (A) shall use such information only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing appropriate agency records, locating any person with respect to whom a reduction under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) ofsection
6402 is sought for purposes of collecting the debt with respect to which the reduction is sought, or in the defense of any litigation or administrative procedure ensuing from a reduction made under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) ofsection
6402.

(ii)Notwithstanding clause (i), return information disclosed to officers and employees of the Department of Labor may be accessed by agents who maintain and provide technological support to the Department of Labor’s Interstate Connection Network (ICON) solely for the purpose of providing such maintenance and support.

(11) Disclosure of return information to carry out Federal Employees’ Retirement System

(A) In general

The Commissioner of Social Security shall, on written request, disclose to the Office of Personnel Management return information from returns with respect to net earnings from self-employment (as defined in section
1402), wages (as defined in section
3121(a) or
3401(a)), and payments of retirement income, which have been disclosed to the Social Security Administration as provided by paragraph (1) or (5).

(B) Restriction on disclosure

The Commissioner of Social Security shall disclose return information under subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, the administration of chapters 83 and 84 of title
5, United States Code.

(12) Disclosure of certain taxpayer identity information for verification of employment status of medicare beneficiary and spouse of medicare beneficiary

(A) Return information from Internal Revenue Service

The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Commissioner of Social Security, disclose to the Commissioner available filing status and taxpayer identity information from the individual master files of the Internal Revenue Service relating to whether any medicare beneficiary identified by the Commissioner was a married individual (as defined in section
7703) for any specified year after 1986, and, if so, the name of the spouse of such individual and such spouse’s TIN.

(B) Return information from Social Security Administration

The Commissioner of Social Security shall, upon written request from the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, disclose to the Administrator the following information:

(i)The name and TIN of each medicare beneficiary who is identified as having received wages (as defined in section
3401(a)), above an amount (if any) specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from a qualified employer in a previous year.

(ii)For each medicare beneficiary who was identified as married under subparagraph (A) and whose spouse is identified as having received wages, above an amount (if any) specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, from a qualified employer in a previous year—

(I)the name and TIN of the medicare beneficiary, and

(II)the name and TIN of the spouse.

(iii)With respect to each such qualified employer, the name, address, and TIN of the employer and the number of individuals with respect to whom written statements were furnished under section
6051 by the employer with respect to such previous year.

(C) Disclosure by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

With respect to the information disclosed under subparagraph (B), the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may disclose—

(i)to the qualified employer referred to in such subparagraph the name and TIN of each individual identified under such subparagraph as having received wages from the employer (hereinafter in this subparagraph referred to as the “employee”) for purposes of determining during what period such employee or the employee’s spouse may be (or have been) covered under a group health plan of the employer and what benefits are or were covered under the plan (including the name, address, and identifying number of the plan),

(ii)to any group health plan which provides or provided coverage to such an employee or spouse, the name of such employee and the employee’s spouse (if the spouse is a medicare beneficiary) and the name and address of the employer, and, for the purpose of presenting a claim to the plan—

(I)the TIN of such employee if benefits were paid under title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to the employee during a period in which the plan was a primary plan (as defined in section 1862(b)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act), and

(II)the TIN of such spouse if benefits were paid under such title with respect to the spouse during such period, and

(iii)to any agent of such Administrator the information referred to in subparagraph (B) for purposes of carrying out clauses (i) and (ii) on behalf of such Administrator.

(D) Special rules

(i)Restrictions on disclosure
Information may be disclosed under this paragraph only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, determining the extent to which any medicare beneficiary is covered under any group health plan.

(ii)Timely response to requests
Any request made under subparagraph (A) or (B) shall be complied with as soon as possible but in no event later than 120 days after the date the request was made.

(E) Definitions

For purposes of this paragraph—

(i)Medicare beneficiary
The term “medicare beneficiary” means an individual entitled to benefits under part A, or enrolled under part B, of title XVIII of the Social Security Act, but does not include such an individual enrolled in part A under section
1818.

(iii)Qualified employer
The term “qualified employer” means, for a calendar year, an employer which has furnished written statements under section
6051 with respect to at least 20 individuals for wages paid in the year.

(13) Disclosure of return information to carry out income contingent repayment of student loans

(A) In general

The Secretary may, upon written request from the Secretary of Education, disclose to officers and employees of the Department of Education return information with respect to a taxpayer who has received an applicable student loan and whose loan repayment amounts are based in whole or in part on the taxpayer’s income. Such return information shall be limited to—

(i)taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer,

(ii)the filing status of such taxpayer, and

(iii)the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer.

(B) Restriction on use of disclosed information

Return information disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers and employees of the Department of Education only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing the appropriate income contingent repayment amount for an applicable student loan.

(C) Applicable student loan

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “applicable student loan” means—

(i)any loan made under the program authorized under part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and

(ii)any loan made under part B or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which is in default and has been assigned to the Department of Education.

(D) Termination

This paragraph shall not apply to any request made after December 31, 2007.

(14) Disclosure of return information to United States Customs Service

The Secretary may, upon written request from the Commissioner of the United States Customs Service, disclose to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury such return information with respect to taxes imposed by chapters 1 and 6 as the Secretary may prescribe by regulations, solely for the purpose of, and only to the extent necessary in—

(A)ascertaining the correctness of any entry in audits as provided for in section 509 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1509), or

(B)other actions to recover any loss of revenue, or to collect duties, taxes, and fees, determined to be due and owing pursuant to such audits.

(15) Disclosure of returns filed under section
6050I

The Secretary may, upon written request, disclose to officers and employees of—

(A)any Federal agency,

(B)any agency of a State or local government, or

(C)any agency of the government of a foreign country,

information contained on returns filed under section
6050I. Any such disclosure shall be made on the same basis, and subject to the same conditions, as apply to disclosures of information on reports filed under section
5313 of title
31, United States Code; except that no disclosure under this paragraph shall be made for purposes of the administration of any tax law.

(16) Disclosure of return information for purposes of administering the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997

(A) In general

Upon written request available return information (including such information disclosed to the Social Security Administration under paragraph (1) or (5) of this subsection), relating to the amount of wage income (as defined in section
3121(a) or
3401(a)), the name, address, and identifying number assigned under section 6109, of payors of wage income, taxpayer identity (as defined in subsection [4] 6103(b)(6)), and the occupational status reflected on any return filed by, or with respect to, any individual with respect to whom eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, is sought to be determined, shall be disclosed by the Commissioner of Social Security, or to the extent not available from the Social Security Administration, by the Secretary, to any duly authorized officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury, or a Trustee or any designated officer or employee of a Trustee (as defined in the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997), or any actuary engaged by a Trustee under the terms of the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, whose official duties require such disclosure, solely for the purpose of, and to the extent necessary in, determining an individual’s eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997.

(B) Disclosure for use in judicial or administrative proceedings

Return information disclosed to any person under this paragraph may be disclosed in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to the determination of an individual’s eligibility for, or the correct amount of, benefits under the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997.

(17) Disclosure to National Archives and Records Administration

The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Archivist of the United States, disclose or authorize the disclosure of returns and return information to officers and employees of the National Archives and Records Administration for purposes of, and only to the extent necessary in, the appraisal of records for destruction or retention. No such officer or employee shall, except to the extent authorized by subsection (f), (i)(8), or (p), disclose any return or return information disclosed under the preceding sentence to any person other than to the Secretary, or to another officer or employee of the National Archives and Records Administration whose official duties require such disclosure for purposes of such appraisal.

(18) Disclosure of return information for purposes of carrying out a program for advance payment of credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals

The Secretary may disclose to providers of health insurance for any certified individual (as defined in section
7527(c)) return information with respect to such certified individual only to the extent necessary to carry out the program established by section
7527 (relating to advance payment of credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals).

(19) Disclosure of return information for purposes of providing transitional assistance under medicare discount card program

(A) In general

The Secretary, upon written request from the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to carrying out section 1860D–31 of the Social Security Act, shall disclose to officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to a taxpayer for the applicable year—

(i)

(I)whether the adjusted gross income, as modified in accordance with specifications of the Secretary of Health and Human Services for purposes of carrying out such section, of such taxpayer and, if applicable, such taxpayer’s spouse, for the applicable year, exceeds the amounts specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in order to apply the 100 and 135 percent of the poverty lines under such section,

(II) whether the return was a joint return, and

(III) the applicable year, or

(ii)if applicable, the fact that there is no return filed for such taxpayer for the applicable year.

(B) Definition of applicable year

For the purposes of this subsection, the term “applicable year” means the most recent taxable year for which information is available in the Internal Revenue Service’s taxpayer data information systems, or, if there is no return filed for such taxpayer for such year, the prior taxable year.

(C) Restriction on use of disclosed information

Return information disclosed under this paragraph may be used only for the purposes of determining eligibility for and administering transitional assistance under section 1860D–31 of the Social Security Act.

The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Commissioner of Social Security, disclose to officers, employees, and contractors of the Social Security Administration return information of a taxpayer whose premium (according to the records of the Secretary) may be subject to adjustment under section
1839(i) or increase under section 1860D–13(a)(7) of the Social Security Act. Such return information shall be limited to—

(i)taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer,

(ii)the filing status of such taxpayer,

(iii)the adjusted gross income of such taxpayer,

(iv)the amounts excluded from such taxpayer’s gross income under sections
135 and
911 to the extent such information is available,

(v)the interest received or accrued during the taxable year which is exempt from the tax imposed by chapter 1 to the extent such information is available,

(vi)the amounts excluded from such taxpayer’s gross income by sections
931 and
933 to the extent such information is available,

(vii)such other information relating to the liability of the taxpayer as is prescribed by the Secretary by regulation as might indicate in the case of a taxpayer who is an individual described in subsection (i)(4)(B)(iii) ofsection
1839 of the Social Security Act that the amount of the premium of the taxpayer under such section may be subject to adjustment under subsection (i) of such section or increase under section 1860D–13(a)(7) of such Act and the amount of such adjustment, and

(viii)the taxable year with respect to which the preceding information relates.

(B) Restriction on use of disclosed information

(i)In general
Return information disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers, employees, and contractors of the Social Security Administration only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing the appropriate amount of any premium adjustment under such section
1839(i) or increase under such section
1860D–13(a)(7) or for the purpose of resolving taxpayer appeals with respect to any such premium adjustment or increase.

(ii)Disclosure to other agencies
Officers, employees, and contractors of the Social Security Administration may disclose—

(I)the taxpayer identity information and the amount of the premium subsidy adjustment or premium increase with respect to a taxpayer described in subparagraph (A) to officers, employees, and contractors of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to the extent that such disclosure is necessary for the collection of the premium subsidy amount or the increased premium amount,

(II)the taxpayer identity information and the amount of the premium subsidy adjustment or the increased premium amount with respect to a taxpayer described in subparagraph (A) to officers and employees of the Office of Personnel Management and the Railroad Retirement Board, to the extent that such disclosure is necessary for the collection of the premium subsidy amount or the increased premium amount,

(III)return information with respect to a taxpayer described in subparagraph (A) to officers and employees of the Department of Health and Human Services to the extent necessary to resolve administrative appeals of such premium subsidy adjustment or increased premium, and

(IV)return information with respect to a taxpayer described in subparagraph (A) to officers and employees of the Department of Justice for use in judicial proceedings to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes described in clause (i).

(21) Disclosure of return information to carry out eligibility requirements for certain programs

(A) In general

The Secretary, upon written request from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall disclose to officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services return information of any taxpayer whose income is relevant in determining any premium tax credit under section
36B or any cost-sharing reduction under section 1402 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or eligibility for participation in a State medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act, a State’s children’s health insurance program under title XXI of the Social Security Act, or a basic health program under section 1331 of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Such return information shall be limited to—

(i)taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer,

(ii)the filing status of such taxpayer,

(iii)the number of individuals for whom a deduction is allowed under section
151 with respect to the taxpayer (including the taxpayer and the taxpayer’s spouse),

(iv)the modified adjusted gross income (as defined in section
36B) of such taxpayer and each of the other individuals included under clause (iii) who are required to file a return of tax imposed by chapter 1 for the taxable year,

(v)such other information as is prescribed by the Secretary by regulation as might indicate whether the taxpayer is eligible for such credit or reduction (and the amount thereof), and

(vi)the taxable year with respect to which the preceding information relates or, if applicable, the fact that such information is not available.

(B) Information to exchange and State agencies

The Secretary of Health and Human Services may disclose to an Exchange established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or its contractors, or to a State agency administering a State program described in subparagraph (A) or its contractors, any inconsistency between the information provided by the Exchange or State agency to the Secretary and the information provided to the Secretary under subparagraph (A).

(C) Restriction on use of disclosed information

Return information disclosed under subparagraph (A) or (B) may be used by officers, employees, and contractors of the Department of Health and Human Services, an Exchange, or a State agency only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in—

(i)establishing eligibility for participation in the Exchange, and verifying the appropriate amount of, any credit or reduction described in subparagraph (A),

(ii)determining eligibility for participation in the State programs described in subparagraph (A).

(22) Disclosure of return information to Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of enhancing Medicare program integrity

(A) In general

The Secretary shall, upon written request from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, disclose to officers and employees of the Department of Health and Human Services return information with respect to a taxpayer who has applied to enroll, or reenroll, as a provider of services or supplier under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such return information shall be limited to—

(i)the taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer;

(ii)the amount of the delinquent tax debt owed by that taxpayer; and

(iii)the taxable year to which the delinquent tax debt pertains.

(B) Restriction on disclosure

Return information disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be used by officers and employees of the Department of Health and Human Services for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing the taxpayer’s eligibility for enrollment or reenrollment in the Medicare program, or in any administrative or judicial proceeding relating to, or arising from, a denial of such enrollment or reenrollment, or in determining the level of enhanced oversight to be applied with respect to such taxpayer pursuant to section 1866(j)(3) of the Social Security Act.

(C) Delinquent tax debt

For purposes of this paragraph, the term “delinquent tax debt” means an outstanding debt under this title for which a notice of lien has been filed pursuant to section
6323, but the term does not include a debt that is being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement under section
6159 or
7122, or a debt with respect to which a collection due process hearing under section
6330 is requested, pending, or completed and no payment is required.

(m) Disclosure of taxpayer identity information

(1) Tax refunds

The Secretary may disclose taxpayer identity information to the press and other media for purposes of notifying persons entitled to tax refunds when the Secretary, after reasonable effort and lapse of time, has been unable to locate such persons.

(2) Federal claims

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may, upon written request, disclose the mailing address of a taxpayer for use by officers, employees, or agents of a Federal agency for purposes of locating such taxpayer to collect or compromise a Federal claim against the taxpayer in accordance with sections
3711,
3717, and
3718 of title
31.

(B) Special rule for consumer reporting agency

In the case of an agent of a Federal agency which is a consumer reporting agency (within the meaning of section 603(f) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(f))), the mailing address of a taxpayer may be disclosed to such agent under subparagraph (A) only for the purpose of allowing such agent to prepare a commercial credit report on the taxpayer for use by such Federal agency in accordance with sections
3711,
3717, and
3718 of title
31.

(3) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Upon written request, the Secretary may disclose the mailing address of taxpayers to officers and employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health solely for the purpose of locating individuals who are, or may have been, exposed to occupational hazards in order to determine the status of their health or to inform them of the possible need for medical care and treatment.

(4) Individuals who owe an overpayment of Federal Pell Grants or who have defaulted on student loans administered by the Department of Education

(A) In general

Upon written request by the Secretary of Education, the Secretary may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer—

(i)who owes an overpayment of a grant awarded to such taxpayer under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or

(ii)who has defaulted on a loan—

(I)made under part B, D, or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or

(II)made pursuant to section 3(a)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to a student at an institution of higher education,

for use only by officers, employees, or agents of the Department of Education for purposes of locating such taxpayer for purposes of collecting such overpayment or loan.

(B) Disclosure to educational institutions, etc.

Any mailing address disclosed under subparagraph (A)(i) may be disclosed by the Secretary of Education to—

(i)any lender, or any State or nonprofit guarantee agency, which is participating under part B or D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or

(ii)any educational institution with which the Secretary of Education has an agreement under subpart 1 of part A, or part D or E, of title IV of such Act,

for use only by officers, employees, or agents of such lender, guarantee agency, or institution whose duties relate to the collection of student loans for purposes of locating individuals who have defaulted on student loans made under such loan programs for purposes of collecting such loans.

(5) Individuals who have defaulted on student loans administered by the Department of Health and Human Services

(A) In general

Upon written request by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer who has defaulted on a loan made under part C [5] of title VII of the Public Health Service Act or under subpart II of part B of title VIII of such Act, for use only by officers, employees, or agents of the Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of locating such taxpayer for purposes of collecting such loan.

(B) Disclosure to schools and eligible lenders

Any mailing address disclosed under subparagraph (A) may be disclosed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to—

(i)any school with which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has an agreement under subpart II [5] of part C of title VII of the Public Health Service Act or subpart II [5] of part B of title VIII of such Act, or

(ii)any eligible lender (within the meaning of section 737(4) [5] of such Act) participating under subpart I [5] of part C of title VII of such Act,

for use only by officers, employees, or agents of such school or eligible lender whose duties relate to the collection of student loans for purposes of locating individuals who have defaulted on student loans made under such subparts for the purposes of collecting such loans.

(6) Blood Donor Locator Service

(A) In general

Upon written request pursuant to section 1141 of the Social Security Act, the Secretary shall disclose the mailing address of taxpayers to officers and employees of the Blood Donor Locator Service in the Department of Health and Human Services.

(B) Restriction on disclosure

The Secretary shall disclose return information under subparagraph (A) only for purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, assisting under the Blood Donor Locator Service authorized persons (as defined in section 1141(h)(1) of the Social Security Act) in locating blood donors who, as indicated by donated blood or products derived therefrom or by the history of the subsequent use of such blood or blood products, have or may have the virus for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, in order to inform such donors of the possible need for medical care and treatment.

(C) Safeguards

The Secretary shall destroy all related blood donor records (as defined in section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act) in the possession of the Department of the Treasury upon completion of their use in making the disclosure required under subparagraph (A), so as to make such records undisclosable.

(7) Social security account statement furnished by Social Security Administration

Upon written request by the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer who is entitled to receive a social security account statement pursuant to section 1143(c) of the Social Security Act, for use only by officers, employees or agents of the Social Security Administration for purposes of mailing such statement to such taxpayer.

(n) Certain other persons

Pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary, returns and return information may be disclosed to any person, including any person described in section
7513(a), to the extent necessary in connection with the processing, storage, transmission, and reproduction of such returns and return information, the programming, maintenance, repair, testing, and procurement of equipment, and the providing of other services, for purposes of tax administration.

(o) Disclosure of returns and return information with respect to certain taxes

(1) Taxes imposed by subtitle E

(A) In general

Returns and return information with respect to taxes imposed by subtitle E (relating to taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and firearms) shall be open to inspection by or disclosure to officers and employees of a Federal agency whose official duties require such inspection or disclosure.

(B) Use in certain proceedings

Returns and return information disclosed to a Federal agency under subparagraph (A) may be used in an action or proceeding (or in preparation for such action or proceeding) brought under section 625 of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 for the collection of any unpaid assessment or penalty arising under such Act.

(2) Taxes imposed by chapter 35

Returns and return information with respect to taxes imposed by chapter 35 (relating to taxes on wagering) shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this section, be open to inspection by or disclosure only to such person or persons and for such purpose or purposes as are prescribed by section
4424.

(p) Procedure and recordkeeping

(1) Manner, time, and place of inspections

Requests for the inspection or disclosure of a return or return information and such inspection or disclosure shall be made in such manner and at such time and place as shall be prescribed by the Secretary.

(2) Procedure

(A) Reproduction of returns

A reproduction or certified reproduction of a return shall, upon written request, be furnished to any person to whom disclosure or inspection of such return is authorized under this section. A reasonable fee may be prescribed for furnishing such reproduction or certified reproduction.

(B) Disclosure of return information

Return information disclosed to any person under the provisions of this title may be provided in the form of written documents, reproductions of such documents, films or photoimpressions, or electronically produced tapes, disks, or records, or by any other mode or means which the Secretary determines necessary or appropriate. A reasonable fee may be prescribed for furnishing such return information.

(C) Use of reproductions

Any reproduction of any return, document, or other matter made in accordance with this paragraph shall have the same legal status as the original, and any such reproduction shall, if properly authenticated, be admissible in evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding as if it were the original, whether or not the original is in existence.

(3) Records of inspection and disclosure

(A) System of recordkeeping

Except as otherwise provided by this paragraph, the Secretary shall maintain a permanent system of standardized records or accountings of all requests for inspection or disclosure of returns and return information (including the reasons for and dates of such requests) and of returns and return information inspected or disclosed under this section and section
6104(c). Notwithstanding the provisions of section
552a(c) of title
5, United States Code, the Secretary shall not be required to maintain a record or accounting of requests for inspection or disclosure of returns and return information, or of returns and return information inspected or disclosed, under the authority of subsections [6] (c), (e), (f)(5), (h)(1), (3)(A), or (4), (i)(4), or (8)(A)(ii), (k)(1), (2), (6), (8), or (9), (l)(1), (4)(B), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17), or (18), (m), or (n). The records or accountings required to be maintained under this paragraph shall be available for examination by the Joint Committee on Taxation or the Chief of Staff of such joint committee. Such record or accounting shall also be available for examination by such person or persons as may be, but only to the extent, authorized to make such examination under section
552a(c)(3) of title
5, United States Code.

(B) Report by the Secretary

The Secretary shall, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, furnish to the Joint Committee on Taxation a report with respect to, or summary of, the records or accountings described in subparagraph (A) in such form and containing such information as such joint committee or the Chief of Staff of such joint committee may designate. Such report or summary shall not, however, include a record or accounting of any request by the President under subsection (g) for, or the disclosure in response to such request of, any return or return information with respect to any individual who, at the time of such request, was an officer or employee of the executive branch of the Federal Government. Such report or summary, or any part thereof, may be disclosed by such joint committee to such persons and for such purposes as the joint committee may, by record vote of a majority of the members of the joint committee, determine.

(C) Public report on disclosures

The Secretary shall, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, furnish to the Joint Committee on Taxation for disclosure to the public a report with respect to the records or accountings described in subparagraph (A) which—

(i)provides with respect to each Federal agency, each agency, body, or commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i) or (7)(A)(ii), or (l)(6), and the Government Accountability Office the number of—

(I)requests for disclosure of returns and return information,

(II)instances in which returns and return information were disclosed pursuant to such requests or otherwise,

(III)taxpayers whose returns, or return information with respect to whom, were disclosed pursuant to such requests, and

(ii)describes the general purposes for which such requests were made,[7]

(4) Safeguards

Any Federal agency described in subsection (h)(2), (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5), or (7), (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), (l)(1), (2), (3), (5), (10), (11), (13), (14), (17), or (22) or (o)(1)(A), the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, or any agency, body, or commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i) or 7(A)(ii), [8] or (k)(10), (l)(6), (7), (8), (9), (12), (15), or (16), any appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)), or any other person described in subsection (k)(10),subsection (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20), or any entity described in subsection (l)(21), shall, as a condition for receiving returns or return information—

(A)establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, a permanent system of standardized records with respect to any request, the reason for such request, and the date of such request made by or of it and any disclosure of return or return information made by or to it;

(B)establish and maintain, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, a secure area or place in which such returns or return information shall be stored;

(C)restrict, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, access to the returns or return information only to persons whose duties or responsibilities require access and to whom disclosure may be made under the provisions of this title;

(D)provide such other safeguards which the Secretary determines (and which he prescribes in regulations) to be necessary or appropriate to protect the confidentiality of the returns or return information;

(E)furnish a report to the Secretary, at such time and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe, which describes the procedures established and utilized by such agency, body, or commission, the Government Accountability Office, or the Congressional Budget Office for ensuring the confidentiality of returns and return information required by this paragraph; and

(F)upon completion of use of such returns or return information—

(i)in the case of an agency, body, or commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i), (k)(10), or (l)(6), (7), (8), (9), or (16), any appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)), or any other person described in subsection (k)(10) orsubsection (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) return to the Secretary such returns or return information (along with any copies made therefrom) or make such returns or return information undisclosable in any manner and furnish a written report to the Secretary describing such manner,

(ii)in the case of an agency described in subsections [6] (h)(2), (h)(5), (i)(1), (2), (3), (5) or (7), (j)(1), (2), or (5), (k)(8) or (10), (l)(1), (2), (3), (5), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (17), or (22), or (o)(1)(A) or any entity described in subsection (l)(21),,,[9] the Government Accountability Office, or the Congressional Budget Office, either—

(I)return to the Secretary such returns or return information (along with any copies made therefrom),

(II)otherwise make such returns or return information undisclosable, or

(III)to the extent not so returned or made undisclosable, ensure that the conditions of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this paragraph continue to be met with respect to such returns or return information, and

(iii)in the case of the Department of Health and Human Services for purposes of subsection (m)(6), destroy all such return information upon completion of its use in providing the notification for which the information was obtained, so as to make such information undisclosable;

except that the conditions of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) shall cease to apply with respect to any return or return information if, and to the extent that, such return or return information is disclosed in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding and made a part of the public record thereof. If the Secretary determines that any such agency, body, or commission, including an agency, an appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)), or any other person described in subsection (k)(10) orsubsection (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity described in subsection (l)(21),,[9] or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office, has failed to, or does not, meet the requirements of this paragraph, he may, after any proceedings for review established under paragraph (7), take such actions as are necessary to ensure such requirements are met, including refusing to disclose returns or return information to such agency, body, or commission, including an agency, an appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)), or any other person described in subsection (k)(10) orsubsection (l)(10), (16), (18), (19), or (20) or any entity described in subsection (l)(21),,[9] or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office, until he determines that such requirements have been or will be met. In the case of any agency which receives any mailing address under paragraph (2), (4), (6), or (7) of subsection (m) and which discloses any such mailing address to any agent or which receives any information under paragraph (6)(A), (10), (12)(B), or (16) of subsection (l) and which discloses any such information to any agent, or any person including an agent described in subsection (l)(10) or (16), this paragraph shall apply to such agency and each such agent or other person (except that, in the case of an agent, or any person including an agent described in subsection (l)(10) or (16), any report to the Secretary or other action with respect to the Secretary shall be made or taken through such agency). For purposes of applying this paragraph in any case to which subsection (m)(6) applies, the term “return information” includes related blood donor records (as defined in section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act).

(5) Report on procedures and safeguards

After the close of each calendar year, the Secretary shall furnish to each committee described in subsection (f)(1) a report which describes the procedures and safeguards established and utilized by such agencies, bodies, or commissions, the Government Accountability Office, and the Congressional Budget Office for ensuring the confidentiality of returns and return information as required by this subsection. Such report shall also describe instances of deficiencies in, and failure to establish or utilize, such procedures.

(6) Audit of procedures and safeguards

(A) Audit by Comptroller General

The Comptroller General may audit the procedures and safeguards established by such agencies, bodies, or commissions and the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to this subsection to determine whether such safeguards and procedures meet the requirements of this subsection and ensure the confidentiality of returns and return information. The Comptroller General shall notify the Secretary before any such audit is conducted.

(B) Records of inspection and reports by the Comptroller General

The Comptroller General shall—

(i)maintain a permanent system of standardized records and accountings of returns and return information inspected by officers and employees of the Government Accountability Office under subsection (i)(8)(A)(ii) and shall, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, furnish to the Secretary a report with respect to, or summary of, such records or accountings in such form and containing such information as the Secretary may prescribe, and

(ii)furnish an annual report to each committee described in subsection (f) and to the Secretary setting forth his findings with respect to any audit conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A).

The Secretary may disclose to the Joint Committee any report furnished to him under clause (i).

(7) Administrative review

The Secretary shall by regulations prescribe procedures which provide for administrative review of any determination under paragraph (4) that any agency, body, or commission described in subsection (d) has failed to meet the requirements of such paragraph.

(8) State law requirements

(A) Safeguards

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no return or return information shall be disclosed after December 31, 1978, to any officer or employee of any State which requires a taxpayer to attach to, or include in, any State tax return a copy of any portion of his Federal return, or information reflected on such Federal return, unless such State adopts provisions of law which protect the confidentiality of the copy of the Federal return (or portion thereof) attached to, or the Federal return information reflected on, such State tax return.

(B) Disclosure of returns or return information in State returns

Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to prohibit the disclosure by an officer or employee of any State of any copy of any portion of a Federal return or any information on a Federal return which is required to be attached or included in a State return to another officer or employee of such State (or political subdivision of such State) if such disclosure is specifically authorized by State law.

(q) Regulations

The Secretary is authorized to prescribe such other regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, referred to in subsecs. (h)(4)(D) and (i)(4)(A)(ii), are set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

The District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997, referred to in subsecs. (i)(7)(B)(i) and (l)(16), is subtitle A (§§ 11001–11087) of title XI of Pub. L. 105–33, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 715, which amended this section and section
7213 of this title and enacted provisions set out as a note below. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Census of Agriculture Act of 1997, referred to in subsec. (j)(5), is Pub. L. 105–113, Nov. 21, 1997, 111 Stat. 2274, which enacted section
2204g of Title
7, Agriculture, amended sections
1991 and
2276 of Title
7 and section
9 of Title
13, Census, repealed section
142 of Title
13, and enacted provisions set out as a note under section
1991 of Title
7. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1997 Amendment note set out under section
2201 of Title
7 and Tables.

The Railroad Retirement Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(1)(C), probably means the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, which is act Aug. 29, 1935, ch. 812, as amended generally by Pub. L. 93–445, title I, § 101,Oct. 16, 1974, 88 Stat. 1305, and is classified generally to subchapter IV (§ 231 et seq.) of chapter
9 of Title
45, Railroads. For further details and complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Codification note set out preceding section 231 ofTitle
45, section
231t of Title 45, and Tables.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (l)(2), is Pub. L. 93–406, Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 829, as amended. Titles I and IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are classified generally to subchapters I (§ 1001 et seq.) and IV (§ 1301 et seq.) of chapter
18 of Title
29, Labor. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1001 of Title
29 and Tables.

Section 212(a) ofPub. L. 93–66, referred to in subsec. (l)(7)(D)(iii), (vii), is set out as a note under section
1382 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (l)(7)(D)(vi), is Pub. L. 88–525, Aug. 31, 1964, 78 Stat. 703, which is classified generally to chapter 51 (§ 2011 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
2011 of Title
7 and Tables.

The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsecs. (l)(13)(C) and (m)(4)(A)(i), (ii)(I), (B)(i), (ii), is Pub. L. 89–329, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1219, as amended. Subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Act is classified generally to subpart 1 (§ 1070a et seq.) of part
A of subchapter
IV of chapter
28 of Title
20, Education. Parts B, D, and E of title IV of the Act are classified to parts B (§ 1071 et seq.), C (§ 1087a et seq.), and D (§ 1087aa et seq.) of subchapter
IV of chapter
28 of Title
20, respectively. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1001 of Title
20 and Tables.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(21)(A), (B), is Pub. L. 111–148, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 119. Sections 1331 and 1402 of the Act are classified to sections
18051 and
18071, respectively, of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
18001 of Title
42 and Tables.

Section 3(a)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, referred to in subsec. (m)(4)(A)(ii)(II), is classified to section
2602(a)(1) of Title
22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (m)(5), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, 58 Stat. 682, as amended. Part C and subparts I and II of part C of title VII of the Act were classified generally to part C (§ 294 et seq.) and subparts I (§ 294 et seq.) and II (§ 294m et seq.), respectively, of part
C of subchapter
V of chapter
6A of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare, and were omitted in the general revision of subchapter V of chapter 6A by Pub. L. 102–408, title I, § 102,Oct. 13, 1992, 106 Stat. 1994. Pub. L. 102–408enacted a new part C, relating to training in primary health care, which is classified to part C (§ 293j et seq.) of subchapter
V of chapter
6A of Title
42. See subparts I (§ 292 et seq.) and II (§ 292q et seq.), respectively, of part A of revised subchapter
V of chapter
6A of Title
42. Subpart II of part B of title VIII of such Act was redesignated part E of title VIII of such Act by Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 123(2),Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3562, and is classified generally to part E (§ 297a et seq.) of subchapter
VI of chapter
6A of Title
42. Section 737 of the Act was classified to section
294j of Title
42 and was omitted in the general revision of subchapter V by Pub. L. 102–408. Pub. L. 102–408enacted a new section 737 of act July 1, 1944, relating to scholarships, which is classified to section
293a of Title
42. See section
292o(2) of Title
42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
201 of Title
42 and Tables.

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, referred to in subsec. (o)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 108–357, Oct. 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 1418. Section 625 of the Act is classified to section
518d of Title
7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2004 Amendments note set out under section
1 of this title and Tables.

Section 1224(b)(1) to (3) ofPub. L. 109–280, which directed the amendment of section
6103 without specifying the act to be amended, was executed to this section, which is section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See 2006 Amendment notes below.

Subsec. (k)(10)(A). Pub. L. 111–198, § 4(a), inserted “and the head of any State agency charged with the responsibility for administration of prisons” after “the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons” and substituted “Federal or State prison” for “Federal prison”.

Subsec. (k)(10)(B). Pub. L. 111–198, § 4(b), inserted “and the head of any State agency charged with the responsibility for administration of prisons” after “the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons” and “or agency” after “such Bureau”.

Subsec. (l)(20)(B). Pub. L. 111–148, § 3308(b)(2)(C), designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and inserted heading, inserted “or increase under such section
1860D–13(a)(7) or for the purpose of resolving taxpayer appeals with respect to any such premium adjustment or increase” before period at end, and added cl. (ii).

Pub. L. 111–148, § 1414(c)(1), (3), inserted “, or any entity described in subsection (l)(21),” after “or (20)” in introductory provisions and “or any entity described in subsection (l)(21),” after “or (20)” in two places in concluding provisions.

Subsec. (l)(10)(A). Pub. L. 110–328, § 3(b)(2)(A), (B), in introductory provisions, substituted “(c), (d), (e), or (f)” for “(c), (d), or (e)” and inserted “, to officers and employees of the Department of Labor for purposes of facilitating the exchange of data in connection with a request made under subsection (f)(5) ofsection
6402,” after “section
6402”.

“(A) any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and

“(B) for purposes of subsections (a)(2), (b)(4), (d)(1), (h)(4), and (p) any municipality—

“(i) with a population in excess of 250,000 (as determined under the most recent decennial United States census data available),

“(ii) which imposes a tax on income or wages, and

“(iii) with which the Secretary (in his sole discretion) has entered into an agreement regarding disclosure.”

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 109–280, § 1224(b)(3)(A), (C), inserted “, any appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)),” before “or any other person” in introductory provisions and “, an appropriate State officer (as defined in section
6104(c)),” after “including an agency” in two places in concluding provisions. See Codification note above.

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 109–135, § 412(yy)(3), in concluding provisions, substituted “If the Secretary determines that any such agency, body, or commission, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16), (18), (19), or (20), or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office, has failed to, or does not, meet the requirements of this paragraph, he may, after any proceedings for review established under paragraph (7), take such actions as are necessary to ensure such requirements are met, including refusing to disclose returns or return information to such agency, body, or commission, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16), (18), (19), or (20), or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office, until he determines that such requirements have been or will be met.” for “If the Secretary determines that any such agency, body, or commission, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16), (17), (19), or (20), or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office has failed to, or does not, meet the requirements of this paragraph, he may, after any proceedings for review established under paragraph (7), take such actions as are necessary to ensure such requirements are met, including refusing to disclose returns or return information to such agency, body, or commission, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16), (17), (19), or (20), or the Government Accountability Office or the Congressional Budget Office until he determines that such requirements have been or will be met.” after “public record thereof.”

Subsec. (p)(4)(F)(i). Pub. L. 109–135, § 412(yy)(2), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “in the case of an agency, body, or commission described in subsection (d), (i)(3)(B)(i), or (l)(6), (7), (8), (9), or (16), or any other person described in subsection (l)(16), (17), (19), or (20) return to the Secretary such returns or return information (along with any copies made therefrom) or make such returns or return information undisclosable in any manner and furnish a written report to the Secretary describing such manner,”.

2004—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 108–311, § 311(a), amended heading and text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Secretary shall disclose taxpayer identities and signatures for purposes of the demonstration project described in section 976 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Subsections (a)(2) and (p)(4) andsections
7213 and
7213A shall not apply with respect to disclosures or inspections made pursuant to this paragraph.”

Subsec. (e)(1)(D)(iv) to (vi). Pub. L. 108–357, § 413(c)(27), redesignated cls. (v) and (vi) as (iv) and (v), respectively, and struck out former cl. (iv) which read as follows: “if the corporation was a foreign personal holding company, as defined by section
552, any person who was a shareholder during any part of a period covered by such return if with respect to that period, or any part thereof, such shareholder was required under section
551 to include in his gross income undistributed foreign personal holding company income of such company,”.

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 108–429, which directed the substitution of “or (18)” for “or (17)” after “any other person described in subsection (l)(16)” wherever appearing, could not be executed because the phrase “or (17)” did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 108–173. See 2003 Amendment notes below.

Pub. L. 108–311, § 408(a)(24), which directed substitution of “subsection (l)(16) or (18)” for “subsection (l)(16) or (17)” wherever appearing, could not be executed because “subsection (l)(16) or (17)” did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 108–173. See 2003 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (i)(8)(A)(i). Pub. L. 107–296substituted “, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice, or the Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury,” for “or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms”.

Subsec. (e)(1)(D)(v). Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(7) [title III, § 319(8)(B)], amended cl. (v) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (v) read as follows: “if the corporation was an electing small business corporation under subchapter S of chapter 1, any person who was a shareholder during any part of the period covered by such return during which an election was in effect, or”.

1998—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 105–206, § 6009(d), substituted “section 976 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. Subsections (a)(2) and (p)(4) andsections
7213 and
7213A shall not apply with respect to disclosures or inspections made pursuant to this paragraph.” for “section 967 of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.”

Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(ii) to (iv). Pub. L. 105–206, § 6007(f)(4), redesignated cls. (iii) and (iv) as (ii) and (iii), respectively, and struck out former cl. (ii) which read as follows: “if property transferred by that individual to a trust is sold or exchanged in a transaction described in section
644, the trustee or trustees, jointly or separately, of such trust to the extent necessary to ascertain any amount of tax imposed upon the trust by section
644,”.

Subsec. (h)(5), (6). Pub. L. 105–34, § 1283(a), redesignated par. (6) as (5) and struck out heading and text of former par. (5). Text read as follows: “In connection with any judicial proceeding described in paragraph (4) to which the United States is a party, the Secretary shall respond to a written inquiry from an attorney of the Department of Justice (including a United States attorney) involved in such proceeding or any person (or his legal representative) who is a party to such proceeding as to whether an individual who is a prospective juror in such proceeding has or has not been the subject of any audit or other tax investigation by the Internal Revenue Service. The Secretary shall limit such response to an affirmative or negative reply to such inquiry.”

Subsec. (i)(7)(B)(i). Pub. L. 105–33, § 11024(b)(3), inserted “or by a Trustee as defined in the District of Columbia Retirement Protection Act of 1997,” after “(other than an agency referred to in subparagraph (A))”.

Subsec. (l)(7)(D). Pub. L. 105–65struck out at end “Clause (ix) shall not apply after September 30, 1998.”

Pub. L. 105–34, § 1023(a), which directed amendment of subsec. (l)(7)(D)(viii) by striking “1998” and inserting “2003”, was executed by substituting “2003” for “1998” after “Clause (viii) shall not apply after September 30,” in concluding provisions to reflect the probable intent of Congress. The word “1998” did not appear in subsec. (l)(7)(D)(viii).

Pub. L. 105–33, § 11024(b)(7)(B)–(F), substituted “to such agency, body, or commission, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16),” for “to such agency, body, or commission”, and “, (12)(B), or (16)” for “or (12)(B)”, and inserted “or any person including an agent described in subsection (l)(16),” before “this paragraph shall”, “or other person” before “(except that”, and “or any person including an agent described in subsection (l)(16),” before “any report”. Amendments were executed to provisions following subpar. (F)(iii) to reflect the probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding directory language directing amendment of “section
6103(p)(4)(F) in the matter following clause (iii)”.

Pub. L. 105–33, § 11024(b)(7)(A), which directed amendment of “section
6103(p)(4)(F) in the matter following clause (iii)” by inserting after “any such agency, body or commission” and before the words “for the General Accounting Office” the words “, including an agency or any other person described in subsection (l)(16),” was executed by making the insertion after “any such agency, body, or commission” and before “or the General Accounting Office” in concluding provisions following subpar. (F)(iii) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 105–33, § 11024(b)(5), which directed substitution of “(12), or (16), or any other person described in subsection (l)(16)” for “or (12)” in introductory provisions, could not be executed because the words “or (12)” did not appear subsequent to amendment by Pub. L. 104–168, § 1206(b)(3)(C). See 1996 Amendments note below.

“(8) Disclosure of returns filed under section
6050i.—The Secretary may, upon written request, disclose returns filed under section 6050I to officers and employees of any Federal agency whose official duties require such disclosure for the administration of Federal criminal statutes not related to tax administration.”

“(i) under which the United States or a Federal agency makes, guarantees, or insures loans, and

“(ii) with respect to which there is in effect a determination by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (which has been published in the Federal Register) that the application of this paragraph to such program will substantially prevent or reduce future delinquencies under such program.”

Subsec. (l)(10)(A). Pub. L. 104–134, § 31001(g)(2), inserted “and to officers and employees of the Department of the Treasury in connection with such reduction” after “6402” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (l)(10)(B). Pub. L. 104–193, § 110(l)(4)(B), which directed insertion, at end, of “Any return information disclosed with respect to section
6402(e) shall only be disclosed to officers and employees of the State agency requesting such information.”, was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33, § 5514(a)(1).

Pub. L. 104–193, § 110(l)(5), which directed substitution, in introductory provisions, of “(9), (10), or (12)” for “(9), or (12)” and “(5)” for “(5), (10)”, was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33, § 5514(a)(1).

Pub. L. 104–168, § 1206(b)(3)(B), which directed amendment of introductory provisions of par. (4) by substituting “(i)(3)(B)(i),” for “(i)(3)(B)(i), or (8)”, was executed by making the substitution for “(i)(3)(B)(i) or (8)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(h)(6), substituted “Social Security Administration” for “Department of Health and Human Services” in heading and “Commissioner of Social Security” for “Secretary of Health and Human Services” in text.

Subsec. (m)(4). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13402(b)(1), amended par. heading generally, substituting “Individuals who owe an overpayment of Federal Pell grants or who have defaulted on student loans administered by the Department of Education” for “Individuals who have defaulted on student loans administered by the Department of Education”.

Subsec. (m)(4)(A). Pub. L. 103–66, § 13402(b)(1), amended heading and text subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Upon written request by the Secretary of Education, the Secretary may disclose the mailing address of any taxpayer who has defaulted on a loan—

“(i) made under part B or E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or

“(ii) made pursuant to section 3(a)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962 to a student at an institution of higher education,

for use only by officers, employees, or agents of the Department of Education for purposes of locating such taxpayer for purposes of collecting such loan.”

1990—Subsec. (e)(1)(A)(iv). Pub. L. 101–508, § 11101(d)(6), which directed the substitution of “section
1(g)” for “section
1(j)”, could not be executed because “section
1(j)” did not appear in text after amendment by Pub. L. 100–647, § 1014(e)(4). See 1988 Amendment note below.

Subsec. (l)(7). Pub. L. 101–508, § 8051(a), substituted “, the Food Stamp Act of 1977, or title 38, United States Code” for “or the Food Stamp Act of 1977” in heading and added cl. (viii) and concluding provisions at end of subpar. (D).

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 101–508, § 5111(b)(2), which directed the substitution of “paragraph (2), (4), (6), or (7) of subsection (m)” for “subsection (m)(2), (4), or (6)” in the provisions of par. (4) “following subparagraph (f)(iii)”, was executed by making the substitution in the provisions following subpar. (F)(iii), to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (p)(4). Pub. L. 101–239, § 6202(a)(1)(B)(v), inserted “or which receives any information under subsection (l)(12)(B) and which discloses any such information to any agent” after “address to any agency” in penultimate sentence.

1988—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 100–647, § 1012(bb)(3)(B), substituted “and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands” for “the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau”.

“(A) Return information from internal revenue service.—The Secretary may, upon receiving a written request, disclose to officers and employees of an agency seeking a reduction under section
6402(c) or
6402(d)—

“(i) the fact that a reduction has been made or has not been made under such subsection with respect to any person;

“(ii) the amount of such reduction; and

“(iii) taxpayer identifying information of the person against whom a reduction was made or not made.

“(B) Restriction on use of disclosed information.—Any officers and employees of an agency receiving return information under subparagraph (A) shall use such information only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, establishing appropriate agency records or in the defense of any litigation or administrative procedure ensuing from reduction made under section
6402(c) orsection
6402(d).”

Subsec. (l)(11), (12). Pub. L. 100–485, § 701(b)(2)(A), redesignated former par. (12) as (11) and struck out former par. (11) which related to disclosure of certain information to State agencies seeking a reduction under section
6402(c) and restricted use of that information.

Pub. L. 100–647, § 8008(c)(2)(A)(ii), (iii), in concluding provisions substituted “(m)(2), (4), or (6)” for “(m)(2) or (4)” and inserted at end “For purposes of applying this paragraph in any case to which subsection (m)(6) applies, the term ‘return information’ includes related blood donor records (as defined in section 1141(h)(2) of the Social Security Act).”

1986—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 99–514, § 1568(a)(1), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “The term ‘State’ means any of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Canal Zone, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.”

1984—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2651(k)(2), substituted “, any local child support enforcement agency, or any local agency administering a program listed in subsection (l)(7)(D)” for “or of any local child support enforcement agency”.

Subsec. (l)(6)(A)(i). Pub. L. 98–378, § 19(b)(1), inserted “social security account number (or numbers, if the individual involved has more than one such number),”.

Subsec. (l)(7). Pub. L. 98–369, § 2651(k)(1), substituted provisions relating to information disclosure to Federal, State and local agencies administering programs under the Social Security Act or the Food Stamp Act of 1977 for former provisions which related to information disclosure by the Social Security Administration to the Department of Agriculture and State food stamp agencies.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 453(b)(1), which directed that “(5), (7), (8), or (9)” be substituted for “(5), or (7)”, was executed by substituting “(5), (7), (8), or (9)” for “(5), (7), or (8)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 453(b)(2), which directed that “(7), (8), or (9)” be substituted for “or (7)” in provisions preceding subpar. (A), was executed by substituting “(7), (8), or (9)” for “(7), or (8)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (p)(4)(F)(i). Pub. L. 98–369, § 453(b)(3), which directed that “(l)(6), (7), (8), or (9)” be substituted for “(l)(6) or (7)”, was executed by substituting “(l)(6), (7), (8), or (9)” for “(l)(6), (7), or (8)” to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Subsec. (i)(7). Pub. L. 97–258, § 3(f)(4), substituted “section
713 of title
31, United States Code” for “section 117 of the Budget and Accounting Procedures Act of 1950 (31 U.S.C. 67)” in subpar. (A)(i). Notwithstanding the directory language that amendment be made to subsec. (i)(6), the amendment was executed to subsec. (i)(7) to reflect the probable intent of Congress and the intervening redesignation of subsec. (i)(6) as (i)(7) by Pub. L. 97–248.

Subsec. (l)(3). Pub. L. 97–365, § 7(a), substituted provisions relating to the disclosure to heads of Federal agencies administering Federal loan programs whether or not an applicant for a loan under such program has a tax delinquent account, for provisions which related to disclosure of returns and return information to Privacy Protection Study Commission.

Subsec. (m)(2). Pub. L. 97–365, § 8(a), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted reference to exception provided by subpar. (B) and substituted “disclose the mailing address of a taxpayer for use by officers, employees, or agents of a Federal agency for purposes of locating such taxpayer” for “disclose the mailing address of a taxpayer to officers and employees of an agency personally and directly engaged in, and solely for their use in, preparation for any administrative or judicial proceeding (or investigation which may result in such a proceeding)”, and added subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 97–258, § 3(f)(6), substituted “section
3711 of title
31, United States Code” for “section 3 of the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966”.

Pub. L. 97–365, § 8(b), inserted last sentence providing that in the case of any agency which receives any mailing address under subsection (m)(2) or (4) and which discloses any such mailing address to any agent, this paragraph shall apply to such agency and each such agent (except that, in the case of an agent, any report to the Secretary or other action with respect to the Secretary shall be made or taken through such agency).

Subsec. (e)(4). Pub. L. 96–589, § 3(c)(1), added par. (4). Former par. (4), relating to public inspection of returns of persons whose property was in the hands of a trustee in bankruptcy or receiver, was struck out.

Subsec. (m)(4)(A). Pub. L. 96–499substituted references to Secretary of Education for references to Commissioner of Education, designated existing provisions in part as cl. (i) and, as so designated, inserted reference to part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, added cl. (ii), and provided that such disclosures were for use only by officers, employees, or agents of the Department of Education.

Subsec. (m)(4)(B). Pub. L. 96–499substituted references to Secretary of Education for references to Commissioner of Education, designated existing provisions in part as cl. (ii), and added cl. (i).

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 95–600, § 503(a), substituted “In a matter involving tax administration, a” for “A”, “officers and employees” for “attorneys” after “open to inspection by or disclosure to”, inserted “any proceeding before a Federal grand jury or” after “for their use in”, and struck out “in a matter involving tax administration” after “or any Federal or State court”.

Subsec. (h)(2)(A). Pub. L. 95–600, § 503(b)(1), substituted “the proceeding” for “such proceeding” and inserted “or the proceeding arose out of, or in connection with, determining the taxpayer’s civil or criminal liability, or the collection of such civil liability in respect of any tax imposed under this title”.

Subsec. (h)(4)(A). Pub. L. 95–600, § 503(b)(2), substituted “the taxpayer is a party to the proceeding, or the proceeding arose out of, or in connection with, determining the taxpayer’s civil or criminal liability, or the collection of such civil liability, in respect of any tax imposed under this title” for “if the taxpayer is a party to such proceeding”.

1977—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 95–210changed the statement in the existing provisions describing the Secretary’s authority by substituting provisions that the Secretary “may disclose” for provisions under which the Secretary was “authorized to disclose”, inserted headings at beginning of existing pars. (1) and (2), and added par. (3).

1976—Pub. L. 94–455among other changes, substituted provisions treating income tax returns as public records and allowing inspection only under regulation approved by the President except in certain enumerated situations for provisions treating return information as confidential and not subject to disclosure except in limited situations and inserted provisions defining “return” and “return information” and provisions prohibiting tax information from being furnished by the Internal Revenue Service to another agency unless the other agency establishes procedures for safeguarding the information it receives.

1966—Pub. L. 89–713substituted “disclosure of information as to persons filing income tax returns” for “lists of taxpayers” in section catchline and, in subsec. (f), substituted provisions authorizing the furnishing to an inquirer of the information as to whether or not a person has filed an income tax return in a designated internal revenue district for a particular taxable year for provisions directing the preparation of lists containing the name and post-office address of each person making an income tax return in an internal revenue district to be made available for public inspection in the office of the principal internal revenue officer for the internal revenue district in which the return was filed.

Words “magistrate judge” substituted for “magistrate” wherever appearing in subsec. (i) pursuant to section 321 ofPub. L. 101–650, set out as a note under section
631 of Title
28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.

Effective Date of 2013 Amendment

Pub. L. 112–240, title II, § 209(c),Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2326, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013].”

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Pub. L. 111–198, § 4(e),July 2, 2010, 124 Stat. 1357, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to disclosures made after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 2, 2010].”

Effective Date of 2009 Amendment

Except as otherwise provided, amendment by Pub. L. 111–3effective Apr. 1, 2009, see section 3 ofPub. L. 111–3, set out as an Effective Date note under section
1396 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Pub. L. 111–3, title VII, § 702(f)(3),Feb. 4, 2009, 123 Stat. 111, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Feb 4, 2009].”

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–428, § 2(d),Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4840, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
7803 of this title] shall apply to disclosures made after December 31, 2008.”

Amendment by Pub. L. 110–328applicable to refunds payable under section
6402 of this title on or after Sept. 30, 2008, see section 3(e) ofPub. L. 110–328, set out as a note under section
3304 of this title.

Pub. L. 109–280, title XII, § 1224(c),Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 1093, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections
6104,
7213,
7213A, and
7431 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 17, 2006] but shall not apply to requests made before such date.”

Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 406(b),Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2634, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in section 201 of the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001 [Pub. L. 107–134].”

Effective Date of 2004 Amendments

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–357applicable to disclosures of return or return information with respect to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2004, see section 413(d)(2) ofPub. L. 108–357, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2004 Amendments note under section
1 of this title.

Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 311(b),Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1181, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 4, 2004].”

Amendment by Pub. L. 107–296effective 60 days after Nov. 25, 2002, see section 4 ofPub. L. 107–296, set out as an Effective Date note under section
101 of Title
6, Domestic Security.

Pub. L. 107–147, title IV, § 416(c)(2),Mar. 9, 2002, 116 Stat. 55, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 9, 2002].”

Pub. L. 107–134, title II, § 201(d),Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2444, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections
6105 and
7213 of this title] shall apply to disclosures made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 23, 2002].”

Amendment by section
1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(c)] of Pub. L. 106–554effective as if included in the provisions of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105–206, to which such amendment relates, see section
1(a)(7) [title III, § 313(f)] of Pub. L. 106–554, set out as a note under section
6015 of this title.

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 521(a)(3),Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1925, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section
6110 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 17, 1999].”

Effective Date of 1998 Amendments

Amendment by section 4002(a), (h) ofPub. L. 105–277effective as if included in the provision of the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105–206, to which such amendment relates, see section 4002(k) ofPub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.

Pub. L. 105–277, div. J, title IV, § 4006(a)(3),Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–912, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to requests made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998].”

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3702(c),July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 777, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to requests made by the Archivist of the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].”

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3708(b),July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 779, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].”

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3711(d),July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 781, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
6402 of this title] (other than subsection (d)) shall apply to refunds payable under section 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 after December 31, 1999.”

Pub. L. 105–206, title VI, § 6019(d),July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 823, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
6104 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].”

Amendment by section 6023(22) ofPub. L. 105–206effective July 22, 1998, see section 6023(32) ofPub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section
34 of this title.

Amendment by sections 6007(f)(4), 6009(d), and 6012(b)(2), (4) ofPub. L. 105–206effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105–34, to which such amendment relates, see section 6024 ofPub. L. 105–206, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.

Pub. L. 105–34, title X, § 1026(c),Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 925, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
552a of Title
5, Government Organization and Employees] shall apply to levies issued after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Amendment by section 1201(b)(2) ofPub. L. 105–34applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1997, see section 1201(c) ofPub. L. 105–34, set out as a note under section
59 of this title.

Pub. L. 105–34, title XII, § 1205(d),Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 998, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections
6311 and
7431 of this title] shall take effect on the day 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997].”

Amendment by section 5514(a)(1), (2) ofPub. L. 105–33effective as if included in section 110 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104–193, at the time such section
110 became law, see section 5518(c) ofPub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section
51 of this title.

Amendment by section
11024(b)(1)–(7) of Pub. L. 105–33effective Oct. 1, 1997, except as otherwise provided in title XI of Pub. L. 105–33, see section 11721 ofPub. L. 105–33, set out as a note under section
4246 of Title
18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendments

Amendment by section 110(l)(2), (4), (5) ofPub. L. 104–193effective July 1, 1997, with transition rules relating to State options to accelerate such date, rules relating to claims, actions, and proceedings commenced before such date, rules relating to closing out of accounts for terminated or substantially modified programs and continuance in office of Assistant Secretary for Family Support, and provisions relating to termination of entitlement under AFDC program, see section 116 ofPub. L. 104–193, as amended, set out as an Effective Date note under section
601 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Pub. L. 104–168, title IV, § 403(b),July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1460, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to requests made after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996].”

Pub. L. 104–168, title XII, § 1206(c),July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1473, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996].”

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by section 108(h)(6) ofPub. L. 103–296effective Mar. 31, 1995, see section 110(a) ofPub. L. 103–296, set out as a note under section
401 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Pub. L. 103–296, title III, § 311(c),Aug. 15, 1994, 108 Stat. 1526, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
1306 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare] shall apply with respect to requests for information made after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 15, 1994].”

Effective Date of 1993 Amendments

Pub. L. 103–182, title V, § 522(c)(1),Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2161, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date the Agreement [North American Free Trade Agreement] enters into force with respect to the United States [Jan. 1, 1994].”

“(1) In general.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993].

“(2) Special rule.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act in the case of any State if it is established to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury that—

“(A) under the law of such State as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, it is impossible for such State to enter into an agreement meeting the requirements of section 6103(d)(4)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as added by subsection (a)), and

“(B) it is likely that such State will enter into such an agreement during the extension period under this paragraph.”

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4203(d),Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–108, as amended by Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 151(c)(8),Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4436, provided that: “The amendments made [by] this section [amending this section and section
1395y of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 5, 1990] and the amendment made by subsection (a)(2)(B) [amending this section] shall apply to requests made on or after such date.”

Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6202(a)(1)(D),Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2228, provided that: “The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 1989].”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendments

Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7601(b)(3),Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4504, as amended by Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXIII, § 3302(a),Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4917, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to requests made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988], but disclosures may be made pursuant to such amendments only during the 4-year period beginning on such date.”

Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7602(e),Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4508, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [enacting section
7624 of this title and amending this section and section
7809 of this title] shall apply to information first provided more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18, 1988].”

Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1012(bb)(3)(C),Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3534, provided that: “The amendments made by this paragraph [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 [Oct. 22, 1986].”

Amendment by section 1014(e)(4) ofPub. L. 100–647effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) ofPub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.

“(A) In general.—The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 1988].

“(B) Special rule.—Nothing in section 2653(c) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984 [Pub. L. 98–369, 26 U.S.C. 6402 note] shall be construed to limit the application of paragraph (10) of section 6103(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended by this subsection).”

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by section 1411(b) ofPub. L. 99–514applicable to taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 1986, see section 1411(c) ofPub. L. 99–514, set out as a note under section
1 of this title.

Pub. L. 99–514, title XV, § 1568(b),Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2764, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 22, 1986].”

Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–92effective Oct. 1, 1985, see section 10(a) ofPub. L. 99–92, set out as a note under section
296k of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1984 Amendments

Pub. L. 98–378, § 21(g),Aug. 16, 1984, 98 Stat. 1326, as amended by Pub. L. 99–514, § 2,Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section, sections
6402 and
7213 of this title, and sections
654 and
664 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare] shall apply with respect to refunds payable under section 6402 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954] after December 31, 1985.”

Amendment by section
453(a)–(b)(3), (6) of Pub. L. 98–369effective on first day of first calendar month which begins more than 90 days after July 18, 1984, see section 456(a) ofPub. L. 98–369, set out as an Effective Date note under section
5101 of this title.

Amendment by section 2651(k) ofPub. L. 98–369effective July 18, 1984, see section 2651(l)(1) ofPub. L. 98–369, set out as an Effective Date note under section
1320b–7 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Amendment by section 2653(b)(3) ofPub. L. 98–369applicable to refunds payable under section
6402 of this title after Dec. 31, 1985, see section 2653(c) ofPub. L. 98–369, as amended, set out as a note under section
6402 of this title.

Amendment by section 2663(j)(5)(E) ofPub. L. 98–369effective July 18, 1984, but not to be construed as changing or affecting any right, liability, status or interpretation which existed (under the provisions of law involved) before that date, see section 2664(b) ofPub. L. 98–369, set out as a note under section
401 of Title
42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1983 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 98–21applicable to benefits received after Dec. 31, 1983, in taxable years ending after such date, except for any portion of a lump-sum payment of social security benefits received after Dec. 31, 1983, if the generally applicable payment date for such portion was before Jan. 1, 1984, see section 121(g) ofPub. L. 98–21, set out as an Effective Date note under section
86 of this title.

Pub. L. 97–365, § 8(d),Oct. 25, 1982, 96 Stat. 1754, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 25, 1982].”

Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 356(c),Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 645, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982].”

Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 358(c),Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 648, provided that: “The amendments made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 3, 1982].”

Pub. L. 96–598, § 3(b),Dec. 24, 1980, 94 Stat. 3488, provided that: “The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 24, 1980].”

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–589applicable to bankruptcy cases commencing more than 90 days after Dec. 24, 1980, see section 7(b) ofPub. L. 96–589, set out as a note under section
108 of this title.

Pub. L. 96–499, title III, § 302(c),Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2604, provided that: “The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) of this section [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 5, 1980].”

Pub. L. 96–265, title IV, § 408(a)(3),June 9, 1980, 94 Stat. 468, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [June 9, 1980].”

Pub. L. 96–249, title I, § 127(a)(3),May 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 366, provided that: “The amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and section
7213 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [May 26, 1980].”

Pub. L. 89–44, title VII, § 701(e),June 21, 1965, 79 Stat. 157, provided that: “Each amendment made by title VI [repealing section
7275 of this title and amending this section and sections
6415,
6416,
6802,
6806,
6808,
7012,
7272, and
7326 of this title], to the extent that it relates to any tax provision changed by this Act shall take effect in a manner consistent with the effective date for such changed tax provision.”

Regulations

Pub. L. 106–170, title V, § 521(c),Dec. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 1927, provided that: “The Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of section
6103(b)(2)(C), and the last sentence of section 6110(b)(1), of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section.”

Pub. L. 103–182, title V, § 522(c)(2),Dec. 8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2161, provided that: “Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 8, 1993], the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall issue temporary regulations to carry out section 6103(l)(14) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section.”

Construction of 2002 Amendment

Nothing in amendment by Pub. L. 107–210, other than provisions relating to COBRA continuation coverage and reporting requirements, to be construed as creating new mandate on any party regarding health insurance coverage, see section 203(f) ofPub. L. 107–210, set out as a note under section
2918 of Title
29, Labor.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of the functions, personnel, assets, and obligations of the United States Secret Service, including the functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections
381,
551(d),
552(d), and
557 of Title
6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section
542 of Title
6.

For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections
203(1),
551(d),
552(d), and
557 of Title
6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section
542 of Title
6.

“(iv) methodologies used to evaluate tested parties and transactions and the circumstances leading to the use of those methodologies;

“(v) critical assumptions made and sources of comparables used;

“(vi) comparable selection criteria and the rationale used in determining such criteria;

“(vii) the nature of adjustments to comparables or tested parties;

“(viii) the nature of any ranges agreed to, including information regarding when no range was used and why, when interquartile ranges were used, and when there was a statistical narrowing of the comparables;

“(x) the various term lengths for advance pricing agreements, including rollback years, and the number of advance pricing agreements with each such term length;

“(xi) the nature of documentation required; and

“(xii) approaches for sharing of currency or other risks.

“(E) Statistics regarding the amount of time taken to complete new and renewal advance pricing agreements.

“(F) A detailed description of the Secretary of the Treasury’s efforts to ensure compliance with existing advance pricing agreements.

“(3) Confidentiality.—The reports required by this subsection shall be treated as authorized by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for purposes of section 6103 of such Code, but the reports shall not include information—

“(A) which would not be permitted to be disclosed under section 6110(c) of such Code if such report were a written determination as defined in section 6110 of such Code; or

“(B) which can be associated with, or otherwise identify, directly or indirectly, a particular taxpayer.

“(4) First report.—The report for calendar year 1999 shall include prior calendar years after 1990.”

Procedures for Authorizing Disclosure Electronically

Pub. L. 105–206, title II, § 2003(e),July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 725, provided that: “The Secretary shall establish procedures for any taxpayer to authorize, on an electronically filed return, the Secretary to disclose information under section 6103(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to the preparer of the return.”

“(a) In General.—Not later than December 31, 2006, the Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary’s delegate shall develop procedures under which a taxpayer filing returns electronically (and their designees under section 6103(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) would be able to review the taxpayer’s account electronically, but only if all necessary safeguards to ensure the privacy of such account information are in place.

“(b) Report.—Not later than December 31, 2003, the Secretary of the Treasury shall report on the progress the Secretary is making on the development of procedures under subsection (a) to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.”

Confidentiality of Tax Return Information

Pub. L. 105–206, title III, § 3802,July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 782, provided that: “The Joint Committee on Taxation and the Secretary of the Treasury shall each conduct a separate study of the scope and use of provisions regarding taxpayer confidentiality, and shall report the findings of such study, together with such recommendations as the Committee or the Secretary deems appropriate, to the Congress not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998]. Such study shall examine—

“(1) the present protections for taxpayer privacy;

“(2) any need for third parties to use tax return information;

“(3) whether greater levels of voluntary compliance may be achieved by allowing the public to know who is legally required to file tax returns, but does not file tax returns;

“(4) the interrelationship of the taxpayer confidentiality provisions in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with such provisions in other Federal law, including section
552a of title
5, United States Code (commonly known as the ‘Freedom of Information Act’) [probably should be a reference to the Privacy Act];

“(5) the impact on taxpayer privacy of the sharing of income tax return information for purposes of enforcement of State and local tax laws other than income tax laws, and including the impact on the taxpayer privacy intended to be protected at the Federal, State, and local levels under Public Law 105–35, the Taxpayer Browsing Protection Act of 1997 [see Tables for classification]; and

“(6) whether the public interest would be served by greater disclosure of information relating to tax exempt organizations described in section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”

“(1) carried out between the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Montana for a period ending with the date which is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 5, 1997],

“(2) limited to the reporting of employment taxes, and

“(3) limited to the disclosure of the taxpayer identity (as defined in section 6103(b)(6) of such Code) and the signature of the taxpayer.”

Procedures and Policies To Safeguard Confidentiality of Taxpayer Information

Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title II, § 203,Nov. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2438, which provided that the Internal Revenue Service was to institute and enforce policies and procedures that would safeguard the confidentiality of taxpayer information, was from the Department of the Treasury Appropriations Act, 2006 and was repeated in provisions of subsequent appropriations acts which are not set out in the Code. Similar provisions were also contained in the following prior appropriations acts:

“(a) In General.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act [see Tables for classification], no commission established by this Act shall have access to any return or return information, except to the extent authorized by section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“(b) Definitions.—For purposes of this section, the terms ‘return’ and ‘return information’ have the respective meanings given such terms by section 6103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”

Clarification of Congressional Intent as to Scope of Amendments by Section 2653 of Pub. L. 98–369

For provisions that nothing in amendments by section 2653 ofPub. L. 98–369be construed as exempting debts of corporations or any other category of persons from application of such amendments, with such amendments to extend to all Federal agencies (as defined in such amendments), see section 9402(b) ofPub. L. 100–203, set out as a note under section
6402 of this title.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and
1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of Pub. L. 99–514require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 1989, see section 1140 ofPub. L. 99–514, as amended, set out as a note under section
401 of this title.

Reimbursement of Costs of Supplying Information Necessary for Administration of Federal Retirement Systems

“(1) information under section 6103(l)(12) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]; and

“(2) such other information agreed upon by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which is required in the administration of chapters 83 and 84 of title
5, United States Code.

Section 1106(b) and (c) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1306(b), (c)] shall apply to any reimbursement under this subsection.”

Individuals Exposed to Occupational Hazards During Military Service; Procedures Applicable for Locating

Pub. L. 96–128, title V, § 502,Nov. 28, 1979, 93 Stat. 987, as amended by Pub. L. 96–466, title VII, § 702,Oct. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 2215; Pub. L. 102–54, § 14(g)(3),June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 288; Pub. L. 102–83, § 6(e),Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 407, provided that: “In order to effectuate more fully the policy underlying the enactment of section 6103(m)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 regarding the location, for certain purposes, of individuals who are, or may have been, exposed to occupational hazards, the Director of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, upon request by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or the head of any other Federal department, agency, or instrumentality), shall (1) pursuant to such section
6103(m)(3), request the mailing addresses of individuals who such Secretary (or such department, agency, or instrumentality head) certifies may have been exposed to occupational hazards during active military, naval, or air service (as defined in section
101(24) of title
38, United States Code), and (2) provide such addresses to such Secretary (or such department, agency, or instrumentality head) to be used solely for the purpose of locating such individuals as part of an activity being carried out by or on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or such other department, agency, or instrumentality) to determine the status of their health or to inform them of the possible need for medical care and treatment and of benefits to which they may be entitled based on disability resulting from exposure to such occupational hazards. Disclosures of information made under this section shall for all purposes be deemed to be disclosures authorized in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”